What is it?
It is important that all NHS organisations offer safe and high-quality services. All NHS organisations are carefully monitored to make sure this happens. This is carried out by an independent watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our CQC declaration is a statement that outlines how we met the targets and standards set by this organisation.
How the CQC works
The CQC is responsible for monitoring health and social care organisations, and reports on their performance each year. It measures performance against a number of core standards: these standards outline key quality and safety issues which are a priority for patients, clinicians, healthcare managers and the public.
The standards fall into categories such as safety, patient focus, governance, clinical and cost effectiveness.
How was our performance rated?
The CQC awards all trusts a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair or Weak in two categories:
- quality of services
- financial management
For 2008-09 we were awarded 'excellent' for both categories. This is the highest rating a trust can achieve.
For the period April-Oct 2009 the trust was required to submit a self-assessment against the core standards to the CQC. After considering the evidence we have to support self-assessment, the Board of Directors approved a declaration of continued full compliance with all core standards.
Why are CQC ratings important?
The NHS climate is becoming more and more driven by patient choice, so these ratings are increasingly important. They provide patients with simple indicators to gain an understanding of the quality of particular services.
