Care Quality Commission proposes fee increase for care home providers

Independent health care regulator, Care Quality Commission (CQC), has published a consultative document outlining the fees that it proposes to charge registered care providers in 2014/15.

Under the proposal, fees for all health and social care providers, will increase by 2.5 per cent.

All services registered with the CQC are required under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to pay fees to cover the cost of registration and inspection.

The fees, which are paid by health and social care providers, ensure that CQC can carry out the job of registering and inspecting health and adult social care providers to make sure they provide safe and effective care, monitoring them to make sure they continue to do so, and taking action if they fall below that bar.

David Prior, chair of the CQC said: “We do not underestimate the impact on providers of paying fees, especially in the current economic climate, and we will continue to look carefully at our costs relating to regulation. As an organisation, we have a responsibility to cover our costs by charging fees, but we are also accountable for demonstrating that we are fair, efficient, effective and proportionate.”

The CQC also wants to alter the bandings for residential care home providers to reduce what is known as the ‘cliff edge’ effect, that occurs when providers are pushed into a higher fee band through a small increase in the size of their service.

To take part in the consultation go to www.cqc.org.uk/public/sharing-your-experience/consultations/fees-consultation-2014/15

The consultation closes on Monday 25 November 2013.