Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria the Care Quality Commission is using to determine if it will inspect care homes during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) launched its Emergency Support Framework (ESF) in adult social care on 1 May. The CQC will assess any risks, using their decision to assess process, should any serious concerns be identified out of ESF conversations or from information received from service users or members of the public. While the specific justification for inspection will vary on a case by case basis, the three broad principles are a lack of response from the provider, issues around abuse or neglect and whether the provider is unable to cope. Where one of these is suspected or evident, an urgent Management Review Meeting is undertaken to decide the appropriate action. Any decision to inspect, or take enforcement action, is approved by the CQC’s Chief Inspectors.