In April 2023 the Care Quality Commission received new powers to assess Local Authorities and the new Integrated Care Systems.
These new powers and responsibilities represent an opportunity for Local Dental Committees to raise the profile of oral health and dental services with these two important local stakeholders.
The CQC recently published their second report on oral health in care homes which made a number of recommendations. This links to their powers not only in the regulation of dentistry and the social care sector but also now to Local Authorities and the ICSs and their responsibility to look after their local populations. By working with the CQC inspectors, sharing information about services and interaction with the ICS structures, LDCs can form valuable relationships.
While the ICSs will ultimately have to make their own decisions about how they interact with, and develop, local dental services, the voice of the CQC will provide valuable support to LDCs in getting their voice heard should any ICSs need encouragement.
More detail about how the CQC will deliver its new responsibilities is available in these webinars:
Local authority assessments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MfVIR3GWE8
Integrated care system assessments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF8OuRUzkZg
