Special measures for failing Care Homes

The CQC Inspection scheme of special measures previously designed to improve hospitals will soon be extended to those in the adult social care sector, including care homes, home-care agencies and (at a later date) GP practices.

With a new inspection regime beginning in October of this year, and ratings coming into effect from April it could be that care home owners could find themselves in the unenviable position of being in ‘special measures’.

Whilst full details of the inspection criteria have not yet been released, it is understood that the focus will be on the depth of service, including feedback from service users, their family members and staff. As a result care homes will need to clearly evidence best practice in every area of a care setting will become even more crucial.

This new undertaking will give CQC inspectors the power to close down any care homes deemed to be providing unsafe or inadequate care.

A new ratings scheme for care homes in England is also being launched by the CQC, with the aim of driving up the level of service given in adult care homes. Care Homes who don’t have clear evidence of best practice in every area could result in a poor rating, which could impact future business and funding opportunities.

These new measures are being supported by Care England, the National Care Association and the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA).

Citation has been providing support to businesses in the care sector for over 20 years, and has partnerships with over 20 regional care associations. For more information on this, and the other benefits of the Citation service, get in touch today.