@KayFSheldon: .@RoyLilley @Minghowriter CQC is not responsible for collecting data on death rates; it uses data (& other info) available + inspections…
So from this were told the CQC don’t have statistics on death rates.
Let’s think about that! Death is a simple metric you are either dead or alive. There is no middle ground. From that respect death-rates are / can be a good indication of good or bad care.
This raises debate over whether these deaths were actually “preventable”.
This debate has been going on for years. The CQC have no power to investigate individual cases. So the only course of action is to believe the trust (where the death occurred) will be honest. (fat chance)
If not you have the PHSO, but only after the trust responded and within a year of the death.
Any trust that fead oversight would delay any response with the hope of running out the clock.
Here’s the cracker that Prior ignored; the researchers concluded ‘… the incidence of preventable hospital deaths in England is lower than previous estimates’. In truth – we still have no idea. There is more interesting stuff here that concludes death is probably not the best measure of quality care.
I have a problem with the last bit of that extract. A high rate of deaths should be an indication that something is wrong.
In any statically setting a significant rise against the normal is an indication of something being a miss. To say otherwise is careless.
The last part of the article is a somewhat “unprovoked” attach on Mr Prior’s
leadership of the CQC.
On a personal note. If I was hated by people I worked with in any business then I would quit. Going to work each day should not be a struggle.
Secondly where is the vote of no confidence? If you have a leader you don’t trust why would you follow his direction ?
On a personal note. The NHS saved my life in December 2010 with a 3 month stay in ICU. ALL the staff where fantastic. They always involved me in my care, and with me unable to talk, this was something they did not have to do.
In a withering criticism of standards in the health service, David Prior, the chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), warns that “many patients receive poor care”.
I have so many issue with this sentence it’s hard to know where to start.
Firstly it’s the CQC’s job to “inspect” hospital / care homes etc if they are aware of bad / poor care they should use their LEGAL powers to do something about it.
I have no faith in “inspection” as a form of investigation. They intimidate and put great deal of stress on an already stressful job.
The idea the CQC can’t investigate individual complaints is crazy. We as individuals receive care – if that care is below a standard we should be able to complain to the regulator.
Inspectors are not with Doctors / Nurses 24×7 in some cases patients are. We are the best people placed to raise concerns if something is Wrong.
UPDATE
< @KayFSheldon: @danielmcmorrow @NHAparty @RoyLilley @Archangelolill Thanks. Comments: CQC uses death stats that r available but doesn't collect them itself/blockquote>