The Care Quality Commission
History
Following public and government concerns over training and lack of supervision in the UK for cosmetic surgery and other medical procedures offered privately, an inquiry into the Regulation of Independent Healthcare by the Select Committee on Health was set up in late 1998. Following the Select Committee's recommendations, the Care Standards Act was passed into law in 2000, which enabled the establishment of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) (effective from 1 April 2002) and the formation of National Minimum Standards for each of the services being inspected, including all aspects of independent healthcare, under the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England) Regulations (2001) within England.
In April 2004, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) known now as the Healthcare Commission took over responsibility for regulating and inspecting the private and voluntary healthcare sector within England, which as stated was previously the responsibility of the National Care Standards Commission.
Subsequently, in April 2009, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was established under the Health and Social Care Act (2008) to supercede the Healthcare Commission.
What does the Care Quality Commission regulate?
The Care Quality Commission sets out specific standards and rules to be followed by each type of independent healthcare provider, including those involved in providing certain non-surgical and surgical cosmetic procedures.
In the case of cosmetic surgery any establishment where surgery is performed, those offering laser/IPL/LHE treatments, and, in some instances, those staffed by entirely private doctors, must be covered by legislation.
With regard to establishments using Class 3B and 4 lasers, or intense pulsed light sources, the main aims of the legislation are to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and all relevant staff are fully trained in its use, for their own and for the patients' protection.
The Care Quality Commission keep a record of independent healthcare establishments (hospitals, clinics and agencies) that are registered with it. They have also set up an online directory of registered clinics which is available to the public. The Care Quality Commission conduct inspections of registered facilities every year and the inspection reports are also available to the public.
Clinics or practitioners who offer none of the above surgical or light based treatments, but provide non-surgical treatments including for instance, muscle relaxing injections (Botox®, Dysport® etc), or dermal fillers, do NOT need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (as long as the doctor or surgeon is not employed solely in private practice). This area is now subject to self-regulation under the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services.
Last updated April 2009
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