Private GPs feel snubbed by CQC

BMA private practice conference.

By Robin Stride

Private GPs have been shocked to hear they have little chance of getting top marks in Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections.

Their hopes of gaining an ‘outstanding’ rating have been dashed by health watchdog inspectors who consider the highest accolade is designed more with NHS GPs in mind.

The issue was raised in a speaker’s question time at the BMA’s annual private practice conference by the leader of the Indep­endent Doctors Federation (IDF).

Dr Philip Batty

President and chairman Dr Philip Batty tackled a CQC chief to complain that GP members were reporting inspectors saying the achievement of excellence in private practice primary care was near impossible. 

Dr Sean O’Kelly, chief inspector of hospitals and interim chief inspector of primary care services at the CQC and just four months into his appointment, replied he did not see why excellence in independent primary care was more of an issue than in the health service. 

He said he did not understand that and suggested the issue could be looked at outside the meeting.

Dr Batty told Independent Practitioner Today that GP members, who were providing excellent care in the private sector to complement a lack of capacity in the NHS, had asked inspectors about the outstanding rating after meeting all CQC’s five criteria standards.

He said it was disheartening to hear inspectors had informally said they were unlikely to get an ‘Outstanding’ ‘because that’s more geared to the NHS practices’.

Dr Batty later reported he had attended ‘a very constructive meeting with the CQC’. 

‘I made the point – and they certainly listened. I was informed there are private GP providers who have achieved an outstanding grade. 

‘It seems there may be some variation with inspectors. They assured me they will communicate to inspectors that this is meant to be a level playing
field and private GP providers should not feel in anyway disadvantaged.’

Dr Batty said he had not been made aware of any problems like this encountered by consultants.

Have you had similar experiences to some IDF GPs with the CQC? Write to robin@ip-today.co.uk.