An independent review into the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed “significant internal failings” that are hampering its ability to keep a check on health and social care institutions.
The interim report from Dr Penny Dash found the CQC’s ability to identify poor performance at hospitals, care homes and GP practices had been impeded by its own issues, including low levels of inspections, a lack of clinical expertise amongst those carrying them out, a lack of consistency in assessments and IT issues.
The CQC inspects everything from hospitals and GP practices through to care homes and dental surgeries, covering 90,000 different services.
The report found the watchdog was unable to effectively judge the quality of health and care services, including those in need of urgent improvement. The CQC said it accepted the findings in full.
Among the failings identified were: Inspectors lacking the necessary experience – including some being asked to inspect hospitals without ever having been into one before
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who ordered the report to be published ahead of a full assessment due in the autumn, said he was “stunned” by the findings, which showed the organisation was “not fit for purpose”.