CQC has published information that summarises the changes we have been making to best support people who use services and how we register providers of health and social care in England.
Following on from proposals we first set out in 2013, our latest document – A Fresh Start for Registration – sets out the improvements along with our vision for the future of registration as part of our approach to regulation within a new five-year strategy from 2016.
A Fresh Start informs people and their families what they deserve to expect when using health and social care services registered with CQC. It also explains how CQC's registration system is there to protect people from poor care by determining who is able to enter the regulated health and social care market, or by cancelling or placing conditions on a provider's registration when required.
For providers, registration is the first legal step of our regulatory process so it's really important that our process is clear and simple to use, and that organisations understand their responsibility to provide people with services that are safe, caring, effective, responsive and well led once they are registered.
Our lead for registration, Andrea Sutcliffe, said:
"This document is really positive news for people who use services and providers as it shows all that we are doing to continually improve the efficiency, effectiveness and expertise of our registration system.
"Over the past 12 months we have been undertaking a number of activities to strengthen our registration offer, including a better system for organisations applying to register with us, ensuring that the system and checks we carry out when providers apply to register with us are as robust as possible – as well as making sure those organisations who intend to provide care are focused on the right values and understand the commitments they are making to people who deserve the very best.
"Above all, I also want people to be confident that when a provider is registered with us that this means something about their quality.
"Over the coming months we will continue to work with people who use services, providers, professional bodies and other stakeholders as we continue to develop our approach to registration."
Check out more about CQC's registration process here.
Download the document
This document is really positive news for people who use services and providers as it shows all that we are doing to continually improve the efficiency, effectiveness and expertise of our registration system.
Andrea Sutcliffe, CQC lead for registration