CQC unveils new approach to inspecting mental health services

The health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has today launched a document that outlines how it will change its approach to monitoring and regulating mental health services in future.

At present, the CQC has a legal remit to monitor the Mental Health Act, and also inspects mental health hospitals as part of its normal inspection duties.

The new approach, which will be trialled in five trusts from January, will see the CQC inspect community mental health services as well, and place greater emphasis on listening to the views and experiences of people who have used services.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, the mental health charity, said: “We welcome this new approach by the CQC to monitoring and regulating mental health services. It is vital people with mental health problems have a high level of confidence in the services they use, especially as it is one of the very few areas of care where vulnerable people can be treated against their will. This approach has the potential to be a step-change that will look in detail at the journeys of people throughout different parts of the system and which seeks to involve people with experience at every point in the scrutiny of services.”

Find out more about the CQC’s plans.