LETTERS Care benchmark

IT IS wrong to claim that care homes in England, which provide both personal and nursing care, can ‘ register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) without having to formally show they have the clinical expertise to match the challenges’ (Letters).

All health and social care organisations in England that apply to register with the CQC must undergo a thorough registration assessment by our specialist staff.

As part of this, we assess the ability of organisations to employ skilled,

competent and well- supported staff for the service they intend to provide, and to demonstrate how they will ensure people receive safe, high-quality and compassionate care that is person- centred. where people are going to be admitted with nursing care needs, CQC expects to see sufficient nurses and other suitable staff employed.

If we are not satisfied, we will either refuse the registration application altogether, or grant the application but restrict the provider so that people cannot be admitted with nursing care needs.

ANDREA SUTCLIFFE, chief inspector of adult social

care, cqc, london.