CQC urges providers to follow example set by good and outstanding inspection results

Good and outstanding care is centred on the individual, has clear and visible leadership, and has processes and staff that constantly explore ways to improve according to findings reported from the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) revamped inspections to date.

The regulator is calling for providers of these services to learn from what these are doing well so that everyone can get the safe, high-quality and compassionate care that they deserve.

David Behan, chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, said: "Everyone has a right to receive good care. Quite rightly, much attention is given to the instances when care services have failed people, as this can hold bodies to account and set processes in motion to make sure mistakes are not repeated. However, to achieve this we must also recognise and celebrate the services that are getting it right.

"I am pleased that our new inspection regime is identifying some good and outstanding care across the country, from hospices, to general practices, to care that people receive in their own homes, and to NHS hospitals, mental health and community services. I would like to commend the staff who run these services and provide care on the frontline.

"I hope that shining a spotlight on some of the good and outstanding care we have uncovered will encourage learning, drive improvement and inspire greater confidence in the sectors."

The CQC’s new way of inspecting health and adult social care across the country, which was rolled out last year, assesses whether services are safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs, and well-led. Most inspections then result in the CQC awarding ratings of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.

As of last week, CQC has rated more than 1,650 providers and services as either Good or Outstanding – that’s more than 75 per cent of its ratings of NHS trusts, primary medical services and adult social care services rated to date.

By the end of the year, CQC will have inspected the majority of health and adult social care services using its new regime, and so it will be able to continue to report on what services are doing well and on where improvements are needed.

Care and support minister, Norman Lamb, said: "We know many thousands of people receive excellent care from health and adult social care providers and our tougher new inspections are uncovering this, as well as highlighting where action needs to be taken.

"I want to congratulate the hard working staff at services awarded good or outstanding ratings – it is now for others to follow by example."

Katherine Rake, chief executive of Healthwatch England, said: "It comes as no surprise to see that the best hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes are those that put patients at the heart of what they do.

"All over the country we hear about brilliant examples of doctors, nurses and carers working with their patients, involving them in decisions about their care to ensure they get both the treatment and support they want as well as need.

"But these need to be more than just isolated examples. We want to see this approach adopted across every part of the health and social care system, and would urge people to get in touch with their local Healthwatch to share their experiences, good and bad, to help us drive improvement."