CQC responds to latest Committee of Public Account’s report

Today, the Committee of Public Accounts has published a report on how we are carrying out our regulatory responsibilities.

This follows our Chief Executive, Sir David Behan giving evidence to the Committee in December 2017 and before that, a report from the National Audit Office in October 2017, which concluded that we had made "substantial progress" in strengthening the way we monitor, inspect and regulate hospitals, care homes, general practices and other services across the country.

This report from the Committee similarly recognises the significant improvements that we have made and the areas that we are continuing to work on.

Sir David Behan, Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission, said: "I am delighted that the Public Accounts Committee has recognised the way CQC ‘has improved significantly’ since 2012.

"This is down to the dedication of CQC staff right across the country who work to ensure that people receive the safe, high-quality and compassionate care they deserve and encourage services to improve.

"We acknowledge that there is more to be done and staff are actively working to deliver on the key recommendations, such as decreasing the time taken to publish our hospital inspection reports and the improvement of our digital monitoring systems. In accepting the Committee’s recommendations we do not underestimate the task at hand. But with the commitment of our staff, I am confident that CQC will continue to improve and serve the public well.

"People tell us they experience health and care services that are not personalised to their needs, and that are fractured and fragmented. In the future, in addition to inspecting individual services it is important that CQC is able to continue the work we have already begun in reviewing how local systems are working – whether this is undertaking local systems reviews in the way that services for older people are provided – or in the way that children and young people are supported by mental health services.

"It is essential that the public, professionals and politicians have confidence in CQC and that we continue to make progress. To this end, we will report publicly to the CQC Board and to the Committee on our progress against the recommendations."

In January, Sir David Behan announced that he would be stepping down as Chief Executive in the summer having been in post since 2012. The recruitment process for his successor is currently underway.