Government wants Care Quality Commission to be 'chief whistleblower' for care homes

New Government proposals promise to give health care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), greater powers of investigation into care homes.

The package of proposed reforms presented at the recent Conservative party conference by Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, gives the CQC a new operational freedom.

It will no longer need to ask for the approval of the Secretary of State before it carries out an investigation into a care home. The legislation will also remove the Secretary of State’s power to direct the content of CQC’s annual report.

Commenting on the proposals, Mr Hunt said: “The Chief Inspector must be the nation's whistleblower in chief. We will legislate in the Care Bill to give the CQC statutory independence, rather like the Bank of England has over interest rates.

“The welfare of patients is too important for political meddling and our new legislation will make sure ministers always put patients first.”

In addition, the newly created post of Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care (as well as the Chief Inspectors of Hospitals and General Practice) will be enshrined in law, placing all these positions on a permanent footing and ensuring that those appointed to the role are able to speak up for individuals without fear of political interference.

Professor Sir Mike Richards was appointed as Chief Inspector of Hospitals in May, Andrea Sutcliffe was appointed as Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care in July and Professor Steve Field was appointed as Chief Inspector of General Practice in August.

The Government proposes to make these amendments in the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the act that established CQC, via the Care Bill, as it passes through the House of Lords in October.