An independent review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has identified significant internal failings which is hampering its ability to identify poor performance at hospitals, care homes and GP practices.  

The interim report, led by Dr Penny Dash, chair of the North West London Integrated Care Board, found inspection levels were still well below where they were pre-COVID, a lack of clinical expertise among inspectors, a lack of consistency in assessments and problems with CQC’s IT system.  UK Care Week caught up with Nadra Ahmed CBE DL this month, to find out how the NCA has responded to the report’s findings. Nadra told us, “What we need is trust and confidence and for the CQC and the social care sector to come together to deliver the best options for people we support.” Nadra had a strong message to the CQC and calls on the regulator to support providers during such challenging times, in the here and now. Nadra told UK Care Week, “If the CQC had any gumption, they would start to talk about how providers can manage this.” Despite the sector sharing criticism of the CQC, Nadra took the opportunity to recognise the ‘exceptional’ people working at the CQC and in the social care sector. In terms of the report, Nadra said this interim report ‘Isn’t the worst of it.’

Watch the interview in full below: