In 2005 The Healthcare Commission launched a new approach to assessing and reporting Healthcare Standards called the Annual Health Check. This was based upon measuring performance of national standards and targets set by the Government. The purpose of the assessments was to drive improvements in the safety and quality of health and especially in the experience of the patients.
In 2008 the new integrated Health programme was introduced by the Government and it was decided that the Healthcare Commission (CQC), the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC) would amalgamate to become the Care Quality Commission with one set of Standards.
They will now regulate health and adult social care services in England, whether they’re provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. And, we protect the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act
This now means that the Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. With the aim of making sure better are provided for everyone whether its in hospital, a care home, people’s own home or anywhere else.
The vision of the Care quality commission is of high quality health and social care which:
- Supports people to live healthy and independent lives
- Helps people and their carers make informed choices about care; and
- Responds to individual needs.
2009 will be a year of transition with a requirement for all Trusts to declare compliant with the Standards for Better Health by way of the Annual healthcheck but this will be replaced by a Care Quality Commission review on 1 April 2010.
