Care Quality Commission
Who are they?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC)are an independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England. They make sure that the care provided by hospitals, dentists, ambulances, care homes and home-care agencies meets government standards of quality and safety. They also protect the interests of vulnerable people, including those whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.
They put the views, experiences, health and wellbeing of people who use services at the centre of their work, and they have a range of powers they can use to take action if people are getting poor care.
How they do it?
They register health and adult social care services across England and they inspect them to check whether or not standards are being met. Their inspections take place regularly and at any time in response to concerns. They are almost always unannounced. During their inspections they ask people about their experiences of care, talk to care staff, and check that the right systems and processes are in place. They judge whether the standards are being met or not and they publish reports of their findings on their website. In between inspections they continually monitor all the information they hold about a service. The information comes from their inspections, the public, care staff, care services and from other organisations.
How to contact them
Phone them on: 03000 616161
Email them at: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Website: www.cqc.org.uk for online feedback
Write to them at: Care Quality Commission, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA
For our latest CQC report please visit www.cqc.org.uk or alternatively ask us and we will provide you with a copy.