The next step in the CQC’s journey allows them to launch their new registration process and introduce more functionality on the new online provider portal.
The new registration process
All applicants and providers can now use the provider portal for:
- Cancelling their registration
- New provider registration applications.
New registered manager applications are expected to be added to the portal in the coming weeks and until then should be done through updated forms by email.
All applications to make changes to registration/vary registrations will be done through updated forms by email.
The CQC will keep their website updated with guidance, links to online processes, and forms. Follow this information to make sure you apply correctly. As of 11 March, they are not accepting applications using out-of-date forms. Please use the updated registration information on their website.
If applicants have already submitted an application through the old process, it will still be assessed in the usual way. The CQC has a dedicated team that is processing these requests.
New functionality on the provider portal
In addition to registration activity, providers can now submit statutory notifications on the portal:
- SN18: Allegations of abuse (safeguarding)
- SN17: Death of a detained mental health patient
- SN16: Death of a person using the service
- SN18: Events that stop a service running safely and properly
- SN18: Outcome of an application to deprive a person of their liberty (DoLS)
- SN18: Police involvement in an incident
- SN18: Serious injury to a person using the service.
For all notifications, including those on the portal, providers can continue to use forms and submit through email. See the CQC’s information about notifications.
Later this month, providers will be able to delegate access to different people within their organization, making it easier for different roles to interact with the CQC.
Sign up: visit the provider portal page for information on how to join. If you have an old provider portal account, you must still register for access to the new portal to use it.
The old provider portal is now ‘read only’. It will be available until 31 March to view and download information. Visit the provider portal page for instructions on how to do this.
CQC’s enforcement activity
As a part of their changes, providers under enforcement will now have this noted on their individual CQC provider page. This will help the public have a better understanding of the status.
For providers, there is no change to the way they respond to enforcement action. The CQC’s new enforcement section on their website gives more information about their enforcement policy, how they use their enforcement powers, and what to expect.