How To Evidence ‘Effective’ For The CQC: A Comprehensive Guide

Ensuring your care service is deemed “effective” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is paramount. This comprehensive guide will outline the key evidence categories and types of documentation required to meet the CQC’s standards. Remember, these are examples and not exhaustive lists, but they provide a strong foundation. The HLTH Group is available to support with all aspects of CQC compliance, ensuring your service meets and exceeds these standards.

Assessing Needs

To maximise the effectiveness of care and treatment, it is crucial to assess and review the health, care, wellbeing, and communication needs of individuals.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Processes:

• Assessments and records meeting the Equality Act 2010 requirements
• Best interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
• Clinical tools used to assess pain and monitor risk
• Care records or clinical records

Delivering Evidence-Based Care and Treatment

Planning and delivering care in alignment with what is important to the individual and in line with current legislation and best practices is essential.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Feedback from Staff and Leaders:

• Staff feedback collected by CQC and the provider
• Feedback from leaders
• Whistleblowing reports

Processes:

• Food and fluid charts
• Care records or clinical records
• Quality improvement activity documentation

How Staff, Teams, and Services Work Together

Effective teamwork ensures seamless transitions and comprehensive care by sharing assessments when people move between different services.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Feedback from Staff and Leaders:

• Staff feedback collected by CQC and the provider
• Feedback from leaders
• Whistleblowing reports

Feedback from Partners:

• Feedback from commissioners and other system partners
• Health and care professionals working with the service

Processes:

• Multidisciplinary team meeting records
• Care records or clinical records

Supporting People to Live Healthier Lives

Supporting individuals to manage their health and wellbeing is vital to maximize independence, choice, and control, and to reduce future care needs.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Feedback from Staff and Leaders:

• Staff feedback collected by CQC and the provider
• Feedback from leaders
• Whistleblowing reports

Feedback from Partners:

• Feedback from commissioners and other system partners (supported living services)
• Health and care professionals working with the service (supported living services)

Processes:

• Activities list
• Annual health check or screening records
• Care, education, and treatment reviews (CETRs)
• Hospital passport, care records, or clinical records

Monitoring and Improving Outcomes

Regularly monitoring care and treatment ensures continuous improvement and meets both clinical and personal expectations.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Feedback from Staff and Leaders:

• Staff feedback collected by CQC and the provider
• Feedback from leaders
• Whistleblowing reports

Processes:

• Care records or clinical records
• Provider-led audits and action plans

Consent to Care and Treatment

Respecting and informing individuals about their rights around consent is a cornerstone of person-centred care and treatment.

Evidence Categories:

People’s Experience:

• Feedback from people collected by CQC, the provider, local community groups, and other stakeholders
• Direct feedback on care

Feedback from Staff and Leaders:

• Staff feedback collected by CQC and the provider
• Feedback from leaders
• Whistleblowing reports

Processes:

• Documentation from best interest meetings
• Evidence of power of attorney
• Capacity assessments
• Consent policy
• Care records or clinical records

By adhering to these evidence categories, you can demonstrate the effectiveness of your care service to the CQC. For comprehensive support with all aspects of CQC compliance, consider partnering with the HLTH Group, experts dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain the highest standards in care.