Opinion · Health & Social Care · Cura Insight
The CQC's new assessment framework: what it actually means for providers
By Ian Trenholm
Former Chief Executive, Care Quality Commission
Published 2 min read
CQC is changing. We've developed and introduced a new assessment framework that provides a single vision of quality for the whole health and care system. This framework draws heavily on our experience of regulation over the last decade, including lessons learned during the pandemic and our Key Lines of Enquiry.
Key findings
- Trenholm says the new Single Assessment Framework draws on a decade of CQC regulation, including lessons from the pandemic and its Key Lines of Enquiry, and took three years to develop with input from people who use services and their carers.
- He says the new approach lets the CQC work in smaller assessment packages over shorter timeframes, both on and off site, which providers should find less disruptive.
- Trenholm says the CQC aims to publish timelines for assessment frequency in the summer, based on feedback gathered during the transition.
- He acknowledges provider concern about losing a dedicated relationship holder: the new assessment team structure, he says, means someone with knowledge of each service is always contactable.
- Trenholm says the CQC has created a new "guidance and regulation" landing page after providers said the website's guidance was unclear, and has launched a new provider portal that it continues to develop.
Our ambition for the new assessment approach is to use the data we collect more effectively, enabling us to more frequently update our view of quality across services and systems. This will give people who receive care and providers a clear view of the quality of care and areas for improvement.
How was the new framework developed?
Transformation of this scale has required extensive planning and development. Over the last three years, we've worked with people who use services and the people who care for them to ensure that the new framework represents and supports individuals and their needs.
At the same time, transformation of this scale is, of course, neither linear nor simple. We've taken a staged approach, and we're learning and refining through the feedback we receive from colleagues across health and social care.
I'm confident that as we continue to assess services against the new framework and as our technology changes mature and become embedded, the strategic aims behind our transformation will be realised
What are providers telling us?
We know how important it is for the public, providers, and stakeholders to share an up-to-date view of quality. Our new approach allows us to work in smaller packages over shorter time frames, working on and off-site, which providers will find less disruptive.
Frequency of assessments
We also know that providers are keen to understand the planned frequency of assessments. We're building that information using the feedback and data we gather during this transition period. We aim to publish timelines in the summer.
Relationships with providers
Another concern we're hearing from providers is that they will no longer have a dedicated relationship holder. Our new assessment team structure means there will always be someone you can contact and speak to with knowledge about your service. We are reviewing how this assessment team structure works in practice and will keep providers updated on any changes from this work.
Another concern we're hearing from providers is that they will no longer have a dedicated relationship holder.
Clarity of guidance
We heard that the website's guidance section needed to be more straightforward. We've created a new "guidance and regulation" landing page and an index page for assessment, setting out a clear running order and allowing providers to download all our assessment content from a single page.
Provider portal
Our new provider portal is now available. We're continuing to work towards further improvements, such as developing how providers upload and share information with us, for a better experience.
What happens next?
I'm confident that as we continue to assess services against the new framework and as our technology changes mature and become embedded, the strategic aims behind our transformation will be realised. These aims — regulation driven by people's needs and experiences, smarter regulation, safety through learning, and accelerated improvement - underpin everything we're collectively working for.
