When is registration happening?

Find out about the key phases for the new registration system.


What are the key dates for providers?

2009/10 is a transitional year between the previous system and our new system of registration and performance ratings. Subject to legislation the key dates for providers are:

  •   In early December 2009, we published our guidance about compliance:
    • Essential standards of quality and safety (which makes clear to providers the outcomes expected to be compliant with the regulations)
    • Judgement framework (how we will judge compliance with the regulations)
    • A summary of the regulations, outcomes, and steps in our Judgement framework
  • From 4 to 29 January 2010, NHS trusts apply for registration.
  • In February and March 2010, we may talk to NHS trusts about their applications and may ask them to supply more evidence to support them.
  • From April 2010, NHS trusts must be registered with us.
  • From April 2010, adult social care and independent healthcare providers apply for registration.
  • Between April 2010 and September 2010, we may talk to adult social care and independent healthcare providers about their applications and may ask them to supply more evidence to support them.
  • October 2010, adult social care and independent healthcare providers must be registered with us under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the Care Standards Act 2000 will be repealed.
  • Dental health practices and general practices will be required to be registered between April 2011 and April 2012, although exact dates are yet to be confirmed.

We have outlined key registration phases to tell providers:

  • what will happen during each period;
  • when new information providers need to know will become available;
  • key action providers must take

There are different phases for NHS trusts and adult social care and independent healthcare providers. Find out about:

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How will you treat providers who are struggling to comply with new regulations in time?

The new system requires registration against essential standards of quality and safety, so we will expect providers to be meeting these in order to be registered, or to show that they have systems and processes in place which mean that they are on track to meeting them within a short timescale.

However, we appreciate that this is a transition year and that it is a new registration system against a different set of standards, and we will encourage and support compliance.

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What period of time will be given to providers to comply with regulations?

We recognise that minor lapses in performance can occur in any organisation, and we will take a proportionate view of these, strictly dependent on the seriousness of the non-compliance, its impact on people who use services and the time that it is reasonable to allow the provider to remedy the particular shortfall.

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