CQC – Care Quality Commission RCM Maternity Services Safety Safe high quality care
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called for a new approach in hospital inspections, following an apology from the Interim Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the implementation of their new regulatory approach.
In an open letter published this week, Kate Terroni acknowledged that the changes made ‘things more difficult than they should be’ and that they failed to listen to feedback and concerns highlighted by external providers. The RCM has frequently raised with the CQC the negative impact their new regulatory approach was having.
Commenting, Sally Ashton-May, RCM Director for Midwifery Policy and Practice, said:
“We are pleased that the CQC has listened to concerns raised by the RCM and others around the negative impact their new regulatory process is having. Patient safety should be everyone’s top priority and the CQC has a vital role in the protection of those using healthcare including maternity services. But, regulation needs to be a partnership working with those on the frontline, and not a punishment. Inspections should be an opportunity for everyone to learn from and share good practice so that everyone – individuals or services as a whole, can benefit from it.”
While highlighting poor practice is essential, it’s equally important good practice is highlighted and shared as well, so that services can learn from any mistakes and be supported to improve in the future says the RCM.
The CQC’s immediate priorities are to:
- Improve how they use their regulatory approach
- Fix and improve their provider portal
- Rethink their ways of working
Sally added:
“We welcome the suggested improvements, and we will continue to work with the CCQ to help them make the changes that bring about positive improvements that all of us want to see.”
The full letter can be read here.
