CQC and PHSO memorandum of understanding
The relationship between the investigation of individual complaints and the investigation of the systemic problems that they exemplify gave us cause for concern, in particular the breakdown in communication between the Care Quality Commission and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman over necessary action and follow-up. We recommend that a memorandum of understanding be drawn up clearly specifying roles, responsibilities, communication and follow-up, including explicitly agreed actions where issues overlap. Action: the Care Quality Commission, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
- The government asked the CQC and Ombudsman to keep the MoU under regular review (Learning Not Blaming, Cm 9113, Department of Health, July 2015).
- The CQC and PHSO continue to operate under joint working arrangements for information sharing on quality concerns (CQC).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
Accepted90. We accept this recommendation. The Investigation found that the lack of co
ordination between the Care Quality Commission and the Parliamentary and Health
Service Ombudsman was a contributory factor to the ongoing inability of the wider
system to identify and act on failings at the Trust.
A new Memorandum of
Understanding between the Care Quality Commission and the Parliamentary and
Health Service Ombudsman was signed in September 2013 which outlined how the
two organisations will collaborate, co-operate and share information relating to their
respective roles.
91. We have asked the Care Quality Commission and the Ombudsman to keep this
Memorandum of Understanding under regular review and to keep it up to date.