CQC Inspection Preparation

5 Quick Wins for Preparing for a CQC Inspection

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator overseeing health and social care services in England. Their inspections of hospitals, care homes, GP practices, and other healthcare providers ensure that services meet essential quality standards.

While preparing for a CQC inspection can feel overwhelming, focusing on a few quick, impactful actions can make the process smoother and improve your chances of a positive outcome. Here are five quick wins to help you get started with your CQC inspection preparation:

Display Your Ratings!
An easy win is ensuring your CQC ratings poster is prominently displayed in your lobby. Take it a step further by adding the CQC widget to your website to showcase your ratings online—two wins in one!

Equality Act – Highlight Protected Characteristics
Encouraging all staff to complete Equality and Diversity training is critical, but maintaining a 100% completion rate can be challenging due to staff turnover. A quick fix is to display posters highlighting the protected characteristics under the Equality Act, ensuring everyone is reminded of their importance.

Display Boards – Comply with Accessible Information Standards (AiS)
Use your display boards to demonstrate your commitment to the Accessible Information Standards. Clearly show that you offer alternate formats—such as audio, braille, or large print—so everyone can access the information they need.

Advocacy Signposting
It’s essential to provide clear information on available local advocacy services, especially for residents who may be unfamiliar with care home environments. Make sure to have posters or leaflets on advocacy services easily accessible, and don’t forget to offer these in alternative formats!

Have Key Documents Ready and Accessible
How often do CQC audits and inspections involve last-minute searches for essential documents? This is common, particularly for safety certificates like your fire risk assessment, asbestos register, 5-year periodic electrical certificate, and legionella testing certificate. With the growing use of digital systems, keeping these documents organised is easier than ever. Make their location part of your regular audits to avoid scrambling during care quality commission inspections.

By focusing on these five quick wins, you can ensure that your service covers the fundamental standards of CQC, and is better prepared for a successful CQC inspection.

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