The CQC is consulting on new regulations to introduce
Fundamental Standards as legal requirements that all providers
should meet.
The new regulations contain wide-ranging changes aimed at improving
the regulation of health and social care providers and ensuring
that service users received safe, effective and responsive
treatment and care.
The draft regulations are intended to be 'outcome focused'
and include a much more transparent definition of
'employees' than under the current regulations. It is made
clear under draft regulations 2(2)(c) that volunteers are
considered to be in 'employment' for the purpose of the
regulations and therefore substantial information must be obtained
from volunteers as well as employees.
The consultation document can be found here. The deadline to respond is 4 April 2013.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
