January 2025 Newsletter

Good morning

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we’re excited to bring you the latest updates and share with you what is going on this month. Whether you’re focused on compliance, service improvement, or leadership development, we’ve got valuable information to support your journey throughout the year. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, innovation, and continued excellence in care.

We are hosting some Q and A drop-in sessions this month, all based around simplifying your CQC journey. Our first is on 13 January and will revolve around what you need to do to become CQC Registered. Our second is on 23 January and we will go through everything you need to know about CQC for Aesthetic clinics. For more information and to book on, please head to our Events page.

We are also running our free PCN Manager’s chat on the first Thursday of the month, and our CQC in General Practice chat on the last Thursday of the month. You can book on to these via the Events Page on our website.

As always at DKJ, if you have any questions or want to chat about anything, please get in touch with us any time!

🔦 January's Masterclass Spotlight 🔦

Has it been 5 years or more since your last CQC Inspection? Are you ready for the upcoming changes? With CQC now planning to inspect a proportion of GP practices that haven’t been reviewed since 2019, preparation is more critical than ever.


Thursday 16 January 13:00 – 14:30

Our CQC Masterclass is designed to equip you and your practice with the insights, tools, and strategies to excel under the latest guidelines. This is your opportunity to get ahead and ensure your team is confident, compliant, and ready for success.

We’ll cover the key areas of inspection focus, including:

  • Overview of the Single Assessment Framework – Understand the updated framework and what it means for your practice.
  • Safe – Build a learning culture and optimise medicines management.
  • Effective – Learn how to effectively assess and meet patient needs.
  • Responsive – Ensure equity in experiences and outcomes for all patients.
  • Well-Led – Strengthen governance, management, and supervision across your practice.
  • DKJ’s Top Tips – Exclusive advice to help you prepare effectively for your CQC assessment.

Why Attend?

  • Stay Ahead of Regulations – Navigate the new CQC requirements with confidence.
  • Expert Guidance – Benefit from insights delivered by experienced professionals.
  • Actionable Strategies – Take away practical tips that you can implement immediately.

Building Integrated Neighbourhood Teams

Thursday 30 January 11:00 – 12:30

Our expert-led session equips you with the key building blocks to establish and strengthen your INT, ensuring your organisation is ready to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Know Your Patient Population – Understand the needs of your community to create tailored, impactful care solutions.
  • Develop Relationships and Partnerships with Stakeholders – Learn how to foster trust and collaboration across diverse health and social care partners.
  • Build Clinical Leadership Capacity – Discover strategies to support clinical leaders to drive change and inspire their teams.
  • Establish the Right Managerial Support – Ensure your INT leadership is supported by skilled and organised management teams.
  • Prioritise Time and Headspace – Learn how to create room for innovation and strategic thinking.
  • Map Local Services and Opportunities – Understand the services within your neighbourhood and identify opportunities for working together.
  • Rethink Care Delivery – Explore innovative approaches to support patients and the wider community, improving both patient experience and outcomes.

Why Attend?
This masterclass is designed to help healthcare leaders and stakeholders:

  • Gain practical insights into creating seamless care pathways.
  • Build cohesive teams that share ownership for community health outcomes.
  • Unlock the full potential of collaborative, patient-centered care.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to enhance your existing approach, this session will provide actionable strategies to move your vision forward.

Documents for CQC Registration: What they don't tell you

Understanding CQC Registration: Key Documents and Requirements

To register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), several key documents must be submitted to ensure compliance and quality care. Here’s a breakdown of the main documents required:

  1. Statement of Purpose: This document outlines the services you offer, your aims, and the needs of your service users. It should be clear, concise, and regularly updated to reflect any changes in your service.
  2. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Registration Certificate: A valid ICO certificate is required to show compliance with data protection laws (Data Protection Act 2018).
  3. Consent Policy and Procedure: A document detailing how you gain consent for care and treatment, incorporating relevant laws like the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
  4. Public and Employer Liability Insurance: Proof of suitable insurance to cover potential liabilities.
  5. Financial Viability Statement: This confirms your ability to financially sustain your services, using a template provided by the CQC, which includes details of your financial advisor.
  6. Other Policies and Procedures: These should cover safeguarding, recruitment, infection control, medicines management, and other key operational areas. These policies must be relevant, comprehensive, and actively implemented.

Finding and Preparing the Documents

The official CQC website provides detailed guidance on all required documents, including templates and examples. It’s important to tailor documents to your specific service type, as requirements can vary based on whether you’re running a small clinic or a larger care home.

Common Questions

  • Do I need all these documents for every service? Requirements vary depending on the service type. For example, a clinic offering aesthetic treatments will have different documentation needs than a care home.
  • Can I reuse documents for multiple services? Some documents can be adapted, but they must remain specific and relevant to each service or location.
  • How long does it take to gather these documents? It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Early preparation is crucial to avoid delays.

Consequences of Incorrect or Missing Documents

Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents can lead to delays or even rejection of your registration. This can impact your ability to operate and cause operational and financial setbacks.

Impact on CQC Ratings

Proper documentation not only aids the registration process but also influences your CQC inspection rating. Accurate and comprehensive paperwork sets a strong foundation for positive evaluations, which can improve your reputation, increase patient trust, and attract more referrals.

In summary, accurate and well-organised documentation is essential for CQC registration. It supports operational efficiency, compliance, and the quality of care provided, helping your service maintain its registration status and achieve higher inspection ratings.
 

Contact us at cqc@dkjsupportservices.co.uk for anything you may need help with.

Introducing DKJ Health Hub: Your Essential Resource for General Practice!

The DKJ Health Hub is your all-in-one subscription for accessing the tools, guidance, and expertise you need to thrive in general practice. Here’s what you’ll get:

Exclusive Masterclass Access:

  • Attend 5 Live Masterclasses annually, covering the latest insights and strategies in general practice.
  • Enjoy unlimited access to recorded Masterclasses and pre-recorded resources to learn at your own pace.

Comprehensive CQC & Practice Resources:

  • A robust library of policy and procedure templates, audit tools, and checklists designed to keep your practice compliant and efficient.

Dedicated Support:

  • Get peace of mind with 12 months of access to the DKJ CQC Helpdesk, your go-to resource for expert guidance and assistance.

With DKJ Health Hub, you’ll save time, stay ahead of regulations, and gain valuable insights – all for less than the cost of your daily coffee!

Simply contact us at info@dkjsupportservices.co.uk for more information.

Work With Us

Are you looking for project work and have worked in health and social care?

We are pleased to be looking for more Associates to work on national projects and provide interim support to primary care and social care organisations.

If you have experience working in primary or social care, we would love to hear from you and have a chat with you about how you can support us with our growing portfolio of work in these sectors.

If you are interested, please drop us your CV or a short personal statement to our Operations Manager at claire@dkjsupportservices.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you 😊

DKJ Chats January 2025