Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the Compliance Manager, Cheshire and Warrington Areas, Care Quality Commission.

Debbie Westhead, Compliance Manager, Cheshire and Warrington Areas – Care Quality Commission, attended to provide a presentation on the work of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and how the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee could contribute to this.

She noted that the Committee were in an ideal position to provide valuable comment to the CQC as it reflected the views of local people and often took a detailed look at the efficacy of various services. Attention was drawn to the variety of ways that the Committee could share information with the CQC:

·         By joining the CQC national sounding board.

·         By working with the CQC on national development projects.

·         By sending information through the CQC website, and by commenting on consultations.

·         By meeting with local CQC staff to discuss the Committee’s work, including plans to review services or to gather views about proposed changes to services. The local compliance managers being the main contact point.

It was queried that if the CQC only had five inspectors for 264 sites, how were they managing an effective inspection regime. It was suggested that there could be a role for Town and Parish Councils to assist with inspections. Debbie Westhead confirmed that they were looking to recruit more staff and that the involvement of Town and Parish Councils would need further discussion on how it would be facilitated.

Attention was drawn to the CQC’s whistleblowing policy and how it was implemented. Debbie Westhead explained that concerns are listened to and then the appropriate action was taken. It was reported that this would often result in a visit.

RESOLVED –

a)    That the presentation be noted

b)    That the Committee join the CQC national sounding board.