Agenda item - Monitoring Quality in Care Services

11.1    This report was introduced by Marnie Naylor and Ian Wilson.

11.2    The Chair asked how the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) responded to inspections which rated providers as inadequate. Ms Naylor explained that there may be a need to temporarily or permanently cease to use a provider in this type of situation. Denise D’Souza added that commissioners wanted to have a supportive relationship with providers, and they worked with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to pre-empt market failure. She felt it would be useful to talk to both the Board and HOSC about addressing poor quality and performance, and the possible repercussions if providers pull out.

11.3    Dr Beesley welcomed this joint work between the local authority and CCG.

11.4    In response to a question from Cllr Barford on local CQC ratings, Ms Naylor told the Board that she was pleased to report that there were no local ‘inadequate ratings’. Given that the CQC’s inspection cycle prioritises vulnerable providers, it is not anticipated that there will be any inadequates amongst the providers still awaiting inspection – and there may even be some local outstanding ratings to be reported.