CQC to inspect GP practices

As an ex healthcare inspector I can say that 'quality' is a very subjective issue. Everyone has their own idea what quality is and there are several research papers on it. When I inspected we all had to be nurses with at least a first degree, preferably a Masters, and have worked in the area we were inspecting. I worked inspecting Mental Health hospitals (as I was an RMN) and also had a diploma in Mental Health Law as well as a Masters in Biomedical Law.
Now the inspectors are more like auditors putting ticks in boxes. They do not have to have any medical knowledge at all for some inspections.

I don't think it's all bad news. I know that the inspections of dental practices are much less 'tick box' and more about helping practices to improve any areas that are lacking. This is a very new innovation since the new head of the cqc came in to post!

DH used to inspect the dental practices in our area and there was uproar when the cqc took over the role as the feeling among the dentists was that at least he knew what he was talking about having practised for 35 years!

It probably does need undertaking given the number of complaints that people seem to have about the service now - some may be justified and others not.

When I saw the item on the news, part of me did feel a bit uneasy about it and I think it may have been better not to broadcast anything about it until it was all done. There are so many really good GPs who do care about their patients but they may get tarred with the same brush as the poorly performing ones (think about how people say social services are rubbish at their job but, in fact, they are quite good at their job - it's only a few that are not up to scratch).

After being on the receiving end of less than poor GP abilities (that have left me with life-long problems), I do think there has to be a way of protecting patients (but I suspect it will be more to do with cutting the amounts paid out when patients take the GP to court).

They should also spend some time and money finding out why people seem to be uninterested in training for a career in health.

My concern is that the CQC needs to be properly staffed with trained people to do this - people who have actually been GPs and know the score.

I suspect that, as with care homes, they will inspect those things that are easy to quantify: e.g. whether the practice's finances are above board, how many people have had random BP tests, whether the staff have proper qualifications and training opportunities, waiting times for appointments etc. But without very detailed comparitive stats they will not be able to ascertain whether people are getting appropriate treatment and referrals, which is what matters most.

The CQC is currently undertaking a massive recruitment exercise of current and retired health professionals from all disciplines.

I agree Mishap, they may well monitor the quantifiable aspects, but ignore other more subtle, intangible issues.

Also, it could be a bit like A & E waiting times, which are only counted if you are actually inside the hospital and not outside waiting in an ambulance. My ex-neighbour was a paramedic, so I know that this went on.

Hopefully, whoever takes up the gauntlet to carry out these assessments will be good at reading between the lines and is permitted to ask questions which may not be on a scripted tick-box sheet.

We live in a pleasant part of the country and several of the local surgeries are unable to fill GP vacancies. On the radio this morning they said that failing surgeries would be closed and reopened with new doctors. Exactly where are these doctors coming from - 'cos we could do with them here.

I'm worried, like Mishap, that this will result in auditing what's easy to audit. At the practice I go to, it is very rare to get in to see a doctor at the appointed time but that's because they don't stick to the 'ten minutes and only one illness' rule that seems to be so common now. And they don't stare into the computer screen all the time you're with them. Patients might even be prepared to overlook fatal mistakes if they like and trust the doctor!

www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/11406853.Evesham_woman_comes_to_defence_of_doctor/?ref=eb

A young GP round here, much loved by all her patients, was sacked for spending too long with the patients! - in other words for doing a proper job.

People were happy to wait to see her, as they knew that she was in there dong right by the patient.

The CQC is currently undertaking a massive recruitment exercise of current and retired health professionals from all disciplines.

Yes, the chap speaking on the news item about it was a retired GP and he seemed to be at the centre of it all so hopefully, it will be carried out properly by people who know what they're talking about and what to look for - and also recommend.

www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/20131211_-_gp_signposting_statement_-_final.pdf

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