Regulation of surgeons or doctors
We advise our clients on the most effective way to understand the law surrounding regulatory action.
Investigations
We will aim to assist you in trying to gather evidence in order to support your case.
Regulation of medical staff
Our experienced solicitors are committed to providing a high level of support and tailored high-quality advice throughout any case.
Work piling up
Stressful situations can make you feel helpless. We can help you overcome these situations with the best possible outcome.
Judicial Review
We understand that in some circumstances you can feel let down but we can advise you effectively on how to overcome this situation.
Care Quality Commission
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
What is the CQC?
The Care Quality Commission regulates the health and social care services in England independently. It is their purpose to register various health and social care providers in order to monitor the service given in the aim to continually improve those services. In that way, they have authority to take action when an issue arises with one of their registrants in the aim to protect those individuals who utilise that care and support.
Those health and social services registered include:
- Care homes
- Clinics
- Community services
- Doctors/ GPs
- Dentists
- Home delivered services
- Hospitals
- Hospices
- Mental health services
What can the CQC do if there is an allegation of wrong-doing?
The CQC aims to regulate the services they register, including care providers who register with the CQC, once they meet certain legal requirements. Each individual care provider is regulated using a similar method. The CQC will ask:
Is this care provider suitable?
- Does it have enough staff to cope?
- Do those staff members have the correct skills, qualifications and experience?
Does the location meet the standard for care?
- Is the size and layout appropriate to provide care?
- Are they run efficiently within the space available?
- Can decisions be made efficiently in that environment?
Are the policies appropriate and are they upheld consistently?
- Do their procedures match the legal requirements?
- Do the systems work efficiently to support the care provided?
If the CQC has reason to believe a care provider has not met all those requirements during the initial registration or the monitoring stage, they may reject your registration or take action which may risk the running of the health and social care service.
How can Duncan Lewis help me if the CQC brings proceedings against me?
Duncan Lewis Regulatory Fitness to Practice solicitors are experienced in professional regulation and can advise you at any stage of the proceedings. We can interpret The Fundamental Standards laid out by the CQC to ensure that you have professional representation for any complaint made against you. Should you wish to appeal against a decision made as a result of a fitness to practice hearing, we can assist you in that. Where an appeal is not possible, we can prepare and represent you for judicial review.
If you are a health and social care service registered with the CQC and have any professional regulation queries, or your registration is at risk, contact Duncan Lewis Regulatory Fitness to Practice solicitors on 0333 772 0409.