The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. Its purpose is to make sure hospitals, care homes, dental and GP surgeries, and all other care services in England provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care, and to encourage them to make improvements.
The Commission’s strategy also states that one of CQC’s principles is to “promote equality, diversity and human rights”. Its new approach to regulation and inspection of health and social care services is underpinned by five key questions:
• Are they safe?
• Are they effective?
• Are they caring?
• Are they responsive to people’s needs?
• Are they well-led?
In the equality and human rights impact analysis that accompanied the new CQC strategy, the Commission promised to consult on its approach to human rights in its regulation of care services. The Commission has provided a summary document explaining its approach and asking for your views. It complements the information on human rights that has been integrated into its provider handbooks.
