The CQC policy document (Feb 2015) sets out guidance for providers on meeting two groups of regulations:

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

• Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 (Part 4)

The regulations require a practice to take measures to avoid harm and any significant risk of harm to patients. This includes:

1. To ensure that staff have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience to keep people safe

2. Ensure person-centred care, dignity and respect and need for consent

3. Safe care and treatment

4. Premises and equipment

5. Staffing

6. Duty of candour

Governance Legislation

Under the CQC Policy document (Feb 2015), a practice has a legal obligation to provide certain information to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This includes information about systems used to continually assess risks and to monitor and improve the safety and quality of the experience for people using the service, including seeking and acting on feedback.

When requested, the practice must provide a written report to the CQC setting out how they assess, monitor and, where required, improve the quality and safety of their services.

The CQC can prosecute for a breach of part of the regulation if a practice fails to submit a report when requested.

The CQC provides information for practices about its expectations and inspections and about complaints handling.