Update. CQC Response.

This is my response to the CQC listening exercise:


I am responding to the consultation process as a General Dental Practitioner.

I will list my concerns.

1. I feel that the consultation runs the risk of missing a major problem at the CQC, which is it's poor organisation and inability to deal with administration.
2. There has been inadequate workforce planning. This is illustrated by the shortage of adequately qualified inspectors.
3. I do not feel that the boundaries between the CQC and the General Dental Council (GDC) have been clearly delineated. It is often said that the GDC regulates individuals and the CQC regulates providers. There is clear overlap. In a single handed practice it is the same person.
4. There are CQC shortcomings in knowledge transfer (or acting upon this) in the CQC. The organisation is unable to learn as it does not take into account information that flows from the bottom up. This is clearly illustrated by instances where the profession has pointed out problems and errors, and nothing has been done.
5. CQC requirements include compliance with a range of pre-existing documents. However, these documents have several areas which are not evidence based. This is illustrated by HTM0105 Health Technical Memorandum which is subject to evidence-base challenge in several areas.
6. Advice is inconsistent across the CQC organisation. This has led to mass confusion. This is exemplified by the debate within the profession over who exactly to CRB check in the dental practice. There have been many further examples.
7. The impression is that knock on effects were never properly explored. If they were there should be greater clarity at the point we are now. This is exemplified by the impact on practice sales and purchases.
8. The manner of assessment of practices contributes very little to quality assurance for most aspects of dentistry. The quality of the work provided in the mouth is not assessed. It is difficult to see how a claim to a committment to the Quality of Care can be upheld since this vital aspect is missing.
9. The errors, inefficiencies, inappropriate regulation, and poorly conducted regulation must lead to substantial inefficiencies which I, as a taxpayer, object to.
10. Time, finance and workforce are being diverted away from patient care to fund the inappropriate aspects of regulation. These inappropriate aspects are substantial and time consuming. There will be an undermining effect on simultaneous attempts to expand access.

I hope that these comments will be read, understood and taken into account.