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CQC

Care Quality Comission

What is the CQC?

Every firstScan clinic in England is proud to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (where the devolved government’s registration requirements are slightly different), we still ensure that every firstScan clinic operates according to the same rigorous standards of care, safety and service. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England, the equivalent of OFSTED in the world of education. They make sure that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage care services to improve. They monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and publish what they find, including performance ratings to help people choose care on their website www.cqc.org.uk.

What do the CQC do?

  • They ensure services meet expected standards whenever they receive care.
  • They register care services that meet their standards.
  • They monitor, inspect and regulate care services to make sure standards continue to be met.
  • They protect the rights of vulnerable people, including those whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.
  • Listening to, and acting upon the public's experiences, whilst working in partnership with local organisations and groups.
  • Challenge all providers, with the worst performers getting the most attention.
  • Make fair and authoritative judgements, supported by the best information and evidence.
  • Take appropriate action if care services are failing to meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.
  • Carry out in-depth investigations to look at care across the system.
  • Report on the quality of care services, publishing clear and comprehensive information, including performance ratings to help people choose care.

What do we do for the CQC?

As a service that is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, you can be confident that every time you visit a firstScan clinic, your wellbeing, care and safety is at the very heart of our services. You will always:
  • Be served by trained & caring staff
  • Be scanned by fully registered and qualified medical Sonographers
  • Be treated with respect and dignity
  • Be in a safe and comfortable environment
  • Be spoken to honestly and candidly

What does this mean for me?

There are five questions that the CQC ask of all care services such as firstScan. They’re at the heart of the way that the CQC regulate:
  • Are they safe? Are you protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
  • Are they effective? Your care and support achieves good outcomes and is based on the best available evidence.
  • Are they responsive to people's needs? The leadership, management and governance of the organisation make sure it’s providing high-quality care that’s based around your individual needs, that it encourages learning and innovation, and that it promotes an open and fair culture.
  • Are they caring? Staff involve and treat you with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
  • Are they well-led? Services are organised so that they meet your needs.