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Rob Webster, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation, responded to changes to the CQC fees and regulation.

“Increasing fees by at least a further 40 per cent next year will add a considerable burden on trusts. It comes as providers forecast a deficit of around £2 billion this year and face £1 billion of increased pension payments from 2016/17. The goodwill of providers towards CQC and its new approach to inspections could be jeopardised by this fee increase.

“Further change is needed if CQC inspections and regulation are to be sustainable. Progress in regulation has to mean greater alignment and an elimination of duplication between the national arms-length bodies. Our members cannot afford the time or the disruption of multiple interventions by multiple organisations 

“The CQC must also look beyond individual organisations to local healthcare systems and NHS Confederation members want a much stronger voice in how the CQC further develops its regime – particularly given they will be contributing so much of its funding. Providers will also be looking to CQC to demonstrate that it is delivering value for money, especially as it will soon start to assess their use of resources.”

View CQC report:

http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20150323_cqc_fees_scheme_2015-16.pdf