Minutes:
The Board considered a report of
the Strategic Director, Communities, which provided Members with a brief overview in
respect of the guidance provided by CQC in relation to how overview and
scrutiny committees could effectively work with CQC. It also provided a brief summary of the new
proposals announced by CQC in October 2013 for a new system of monitoring,
inspecting and regulating social care services and for monitoring performance
ratings.
The Board was advised that nationally, the
Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) had been supporting
joint learning between the Council scrutiny and CQC assessment staff for a
number of years and this would continue into 2014.
It was reported that in 2011, working with
some Local Authority Officers and Councillors, the CfPS
produced two practical guides for use by local Councillors and Overview and
Scrutiny Committees (attached as Appendix 1 and 2 to the report). These guides
outlined details in relation to the role of CQC and what overview and scrutiny
committees could expect from CQC locally to improve care. They also explained what information could be
shared with them to help check on services.
The Board noted that in June 2013, the CQC had
introduced a bi monthly e-bulletin for Overview and Scrutiny Committees which
included updates and findings from their work, including details of CQC’s
strategy, national reports and information on the ways that Committees could
work with them. The latest e-bulletin
(November 2013) was attached as Appendix 3 to the report.
The Board was advised that further
details in relation to the proposals in terms of ratings, registration and
inspection etc was attached as Appendix 4, to
the report. The Board noted that some of
the proposals would only become clear when more ‘flesh was put on their bones’.
Furthermore, it was reported that CQC would be
carrying out formal consultation on the proposals in Spring
2014, some changes would be introduced from April 2014 and tested in Summer
2014. All the changes, including new ratings of care providers would be in
place from October 2014 (subject to enactment of the Care Bill). Advance
publication of the proposal provided an opportunity for Local Authorities to
develop their thinking and consult their local community, including service
users, carers and service providers on the proposals and on ethical issues
arising from them.
The following comments arose from the
discussion:-
·
It was noted that previously the Local Authority had
owned the care homes and had been able to visit them on an adhoc
basis and if they establishment did not meet the requirement standards, the
Local Authority were able to close them down.
However, it was noted that as they were now private establishments this
was no longer possible. It was reported
that the Quality Assurance Team closely monitored the establishments and Local
Inspectors undertook regular visits to ensure that the care service met the
required standards;
·
It was noted that the CQC produced monthly bulletins
and that local area profiles were available.
It was suggested that Officers obtained a copy of the profiles;
·
It was agreed that a topic group be established to
look at care intervention – to review homecare, what access individuals had to
their GP, to identify what services they received at home and whether any
providers were hired on a zero contract or were paid below the minimum wage;
and
·
It was agreed that the lead officer would commence a
dialogue with the CQC and invite them to attend a future meeting of the Board.
RESOLVED: that the report, associated appendices and comments raised be noted.
Supporting documents: