Independent consultants and consortiums to register with CQC

The Care Quality Commission is responsible for ensuring that the health and social care provided to all patients is kept at a high standard at all times. The way that health and social care is provided is constantly changing, with more and more patients now being treated by care providers who are independent or 'private'; i.e. they are not part of the NHS.

Fortunately the Care Quality Commission's role stretches out to the non-NHS providers, thereby ensuring that regardless of who provides the care, patients are always treated safely, accurately and to a high standard.

So far all larger providers of diagnostic services, acute services, inpatient services, outpatient services, nursing care and dental care have had to register with the Care Quality Commission. Now however the Care Quality Commission has stated that all independent consultants and consortiums (private groups of consultants), along with all GPs will also need to ensure that they have registered. New guidance as to how this registration process will happen will be released shortly. The Care Quality Commission is however urging these provider groups to make a start at compiling their registration evidence as soon as possible, in order that their registration be processed as quickly as possible.