WIREDGOV

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the NHS Trust Development Agency (TDA) have pledged to work together when supporting NHS Trusts that fail to meet national standards of quality and safety.

The organisations have signed a partnership agreement, which puts patients first and commits them to supporting each other when carrying out their respective roles in ensuring patients receive safe and high quality care; CQC as the quality regulator and the TDA as the quality ‘improver’. 

It sets out how the organisations working together will improve information-sharing, better identify problems and reduce duplication.

Details of the partnership agreement, released today (12 September) include a commitment to:

• Advise on the quality of care provided by NHS Trusts; including, those applying to become NHS Foundation Trusts
• Hold to account NHS Trusts that do not meet national standards
• Build effective systems for how information about the quality of care in NHS Trusts is shared between the two organisations, in order to listen to people’s views and to identify problems quickly
• Work closely on the assessment of Foundation Trust applications to ensure there is a shared view about the quality of care prior to decisions being made.

David Behan, Chief Executive of Care Quality Commission said: “This important partnership will allow patients to receive high quality and safe care by helping us to identify problems and take action at an earlier stage.

“By working closely with the TDA, we will be able to develop a shared view on NHS Trusts applying to become Foundation Trusts and we’ll be able to respond to the public’s concerns in a more coordinated manner.

“We will be completely open in our relationship with the TDA. This includes sharing any risks or concerns about the quality of care or leadership of any hospital or service. First and foremost, our priority will always be patients and their families.”

David Flory, Chief Executive of the NHS Trust Development Authority said: “Quality is at the centre of what the TDA does, so having an effective working relationship with the CQC is essential to the success of our organisation.

“This Partnership Agreement sets out our commitment to working together with CQC in a joined-up way for the benefit of patients. It explains the principles on which our relationship is based and details our joint priorities for the coming months.”

The TDA supports NHS Trusts by making sure they are run properly and assesses if they are ready to become Foundation Trusts.

CQC regulates and inspects hospitals in England to check they provide care that meets national standards of quality and safety.

The partnershipagreement is available on CQC’s and the TDA’s websites and it will be reviewed annually.

Ends

For media enquiries about the Care Quality Commission, call the CQC press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours or out of hours on 07917 232 143. For general enquiries, call 03000 61 61 61.

For media enquiries, visit the NHS Trust Development Authority.

Notes to editors

The partnership agreement complements the Department of Health’s National Quality Board report, which sets out more detail on the particular roles of the CQC and TDA with regard to the quality of care. For further information, visit: Quality in the new health system: draft report from the National Quality Board.

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care. 

About the NHS Trust Development Authority

The NHS Trust Development Authority provides leadership, support and development for NHS Trusts in England.