Care home bosses attack Care Quality Commission over 'bonkers' redeployment of inspectors
Care home owners have criticised the "bonkers" Care Quality Commission (CQC) for redeploying inspectors despite a rising number of Covid-19 cases.
The watchdog suspended its routine inspections of care homes in March in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus and reduce the pressure on care providers. Instead, it set up video conference calls with managers as part of an alternative system.
Tens of thousands of care home residents have died as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the CQC’s recent announcement that it is going to resume inspections has coincided with a resurgence of the virus and a rise in "clusters" of cases in care homes, sparking criticism from managers.
In a message to care providers earlier this month, Kate Terroni, the chief inspector of adult social care at the CQC, said any attempt to limit inspectors going about their work was "unacceptable".
Speaking to The Telegraph on condition of anonymity, one care home boss hit out at the timing of the resumed inspections, saying: "We are trying to keep the infection out when these people can move around at will. It's bonkers."
His comments came as the Government announced that the Infection Control Fund, set up to help care homes tackle the spread of coronavirus, would receive an extra £546 million and be extended until March 2021.
The announcement brings the total funding for infection control measures in care homes in England to more than £1.1 billion after the sector received £600 million in May.
According to the most recent official data, 35 homes were dealing with coronavirus outbreaks – defined as having at least one positive case – during the first week of September. During April, the number of homes with outbreaks was about 20 times that rate.
However, many care home managers have complained that the first tranche of funding was not enough and they were bound by certain restrictions which determined how they spend it.
The care home boss, based in the north-east of England, added: "The fund stipulates that it doesn't want staff moving between different care homes, but on the other hand the CQC is redeploying its inspectors whose role it is to move between care homes, and they're asserting their legal right to do it.
In July, Boris Johnson was attacked for his claim that "too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures" to control the spread of the virus (see video below).
The care home boss continued: "There's an out-of-control and unregulated regulator saying that it will move around care homes at will."
Ms Terroni said: "Most care homes are doing a fantastic job, but if we have concerns it's only right that we go and check that people are safe and take action to protect them where they are not. Our staff undertake a full risk assessment prior to any site visit, have completed infection prevention training and wear full PPE at all times.”
In her message to care bosses last week, she said: "We are aware that a small number of adult social care providers have sent policies and guidance to our inspectors in advance of inspection. Some of these policies are attempting to restrict how our inspectors do their job and could cause risk to people using the service.
"Some of the areas these policies cover are: requesting all inspections to be announced, limiting the number of inspectors on site, restricting the use of toilet and hand washing facilities, and requesting a negative Covid-19 test before an inspection.
"Attempts to prevent or limit our ability to fulfil our statutory responsibilities are unacceptable."
The CQC has been contacted for comment.
