One of the CQC's five key questions it asks during inspections is 'is this service well-led?'. This will cover issues relating to governance and clinical governance in the practice as well as leadership, including whether the practice has a strong vision and strategy.
The information below looks at these key issues and also provides advice on some administrative aspects of CQC registration, including registering a partnership, registering a federation, the requirement to display CQC ratings and details about opening hours. The CQC also explains how the Fit and Proper Persons Requirement applies to general practice.
Safety and governance
- Effective governance arrangements in GP practices
To make a judgement about how well-led GP practices are, CQC inspection teams look specifically at the governance arrangements within a GP practice.
- Effective clinical governance arrangements in GP practices
The CQC expects clinical governance to be led by senior members of the practice who understand their responsibilities to improve the quality of care patients receive, but all staff members should be involved.
- Duty of Candour and general practice
The processes the CQC will follow when checking that practices meet the Duty of Candour regulation.
Leadership
- Fit and proper persons requirement (FPPR)
The CQC explains the fit and proper persons requirement for providesr carrying out regulated activities and what it means for general practice.
- Well-led - vision and strategy
To make a judgement about how well-led a GP practice is, CQC inspectors look specifically at the vision and strategy that underpins how a practice operates.
Administration issues
- 24-hour retirement and CQC registration
Do practices need to inform the CQC if one of the partners takes 24-hour retirement?
- Opening hours
The CQC will consider access to appointments during an inspection, this article explains what the CQC considers good practice in this area.
- CQC registration and partnerships
What practices need to do with regard to their CQC registration if there is a change to their partnership.
- Requirement to display CQC ratings in general practice
From 1 April 2015 GP practices who have been awarded a rating by CQC need to display that rating in their practice and on their website. This article explains what practices are required to do.
- CQC registration requirements for GP federations
The CQC has produced guidance to help groups of registered providers who wish to form a federation understand their duties and responsibilities about the registration requirements.
More CQC resources
- View the full CQC Essentials series on Medeconomics
- CQC's recommended reading to help practices meet regulations and prepare for an inspection
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