New CQC inspections of integrated care systems paused

The Care Quality Commission has announced that it will postpone ICS inspections until after the general election due to take place on 4th July 2024 when they will engage with the new government to obtain the approvals required to begin assessments.

In April the regulator announced a short delay to starting assessments to “allow for further refinements” to their approach following discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care.

ICS pilots assessments have been carried out in Birmingham and Solihull and Dorset but the findings following this work has yet to be published. CQC plan to publish the reports of the pilot assessments and updated guidance on its approach ahead of starting ICS assessments once they have received government approval to their ICS methodology. Under the Health and Care Act 2022 the CQC’s methodology is subject to government approval. 

Meanwhile the Government has announced a separate review of the CQC and appointed North West London Integrated Care Board chair Penny Dash to lead it. The terms of the full-scale review has been launched under the Cabinet Office, Public Bodies Review Programme with the findings of the review expected before the autumn.

It is unclear what has triggered the review as the regulator was not included in the list of bodies scheduled for review in 2024/25. However concerns about CQC registration delays and assessments are amongst several issues that providers have expressed concerns about.