Commission Launched
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
As from 1st April 2009 the newly launched CQC has taken over the mantle as the regulator of adult social care from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The CQC's larger role is to join up the regulation of health and adult social care across the public and independent sectors for the first time.
Its stated aims are to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that's in hospital, in care homes, in people's own homes, or elsewhere.
It regulates health and adult social care services, whether provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. It also protects the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
The CQC says it will:
- put the public and users of services first
- improve services across health and adult social care and act swiftly to remedy bad practice
- put people who use services first and champion their rights
- share our wealth of knowledge and expertise on health and social care services
- involve providers, commissioners and people who use services in the design and development of our work
A new CQC website has been launched providing valuable information and guidance such as inspection reports for all registered care homes.