By Richard Johnstone in Manchester | 2 October 2013
The Care Quality Commission is to be given ‘statutory independence’ from ministers to avoid ‘political interference’ in the watchdog, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.
Hunt told the Conservative Party conference in Manchester yesterday that the commission needed extra powers so it could ‘act fearlessly as the nation’s chief whistleblower on health’, after a number of care failings.
Under the proposals, the health secretary will relinquish a range of powers to intervene in the operational decisions of the CQC. For example, the watchdog will no longer need to ask for ministerial approval to carry out an investigation into a hospital or care home. The ability for the secretary of state to direct CQC on the content of its annual report will also end.
In addition, Hunt told delegates that the newly-created chief inspector positions – covering hospitals, general practice and adult social care – would be enshrined in law. This will place the positions on a permanent statutory footing, so inspectors can make reports without fear of political interference.
Professor Sir Mike Richards was appointed as chief inspector of hospitals in May, Andrea Sutcliffe named chief inspector of adult social care in July, and Dr Steve Field made chief inspector of general practice in August. They will now lead CQC's inspections in each area.
The ‘major reform’ of statutory independence comes after the last Labour government lent on the watchdog to ‘suppress uncomfortable truths’ of poor standards in care, including at the Mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust, Hunt said.
‘As soon as Parliament returns we will legislate to give the quality watchdog the statutory independence it so badly lacked under Labour. We will also put the new chief inspector posts in statute, so that patients will always have powerful advocates to speak up for them without fear or favour.
‘For the hundreds of families who suffered under a system that put political priorities first, we are determined to end the culture of poodle regulation, cover ups, and closing ranks when whistle-blowers and relatives try to speak up.’
The government proposes to make amendments to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 that established CQC, using the current Care Bill. Provisions in the act that allow the secretary of state to dictate which organisations the CQC should inspect, how it should carry out inspections and how it writes up its findings will be removed.
Hunt said these changes would help ‘confront failure’ where it exists in the NHS. The duty of a health secretary is to look into problems, accept responsibility and do what it takes to stop them being repeated, he said.
Richards' ‘tough’ inspections mean everyone will know the answers to 'some simple questions’ about their local hospital, Hunt added. ‘How good is my local hospital? Is it safe? Does it have enough staff? Does it put patients first?
‘I'm sure in most places the answer will be positive. But if it isn't we need to know and then things will change.’
