News
CQC responds to critical independent report
The interim chief executive of the CQC, Kate Terroni, has responded to an interim independent report that found significant failings in the regulator’s internal workings. The interim report by independent lead
reviewer Dr Penelope Dash – published ahead of the full report due in the autumn – found ‘significant failings in the internal workings of CQC which have led to a substantial loss of credibility within the health and social care sectors, a deterioration in the ability of CQC to identify poor performance and support a drive to improved quality – and a direct impact on the capacity and capability of both the social care and the healthcare sectors to deliver much needed improvements in care’. In response, Kate Terroni said: “We accept in full the findings and recommendations in this interim review, which identifies clear areas where improvement is urgently needed. Many of these align with areas we have prioritised as part of our work to restore trust with the public and providers by listening better, working together more collaboratively and being honest about what we’ve got wrong. We are working at pace and in consultation with our stakeholders to rebuild that trust and become the strong, credible, and effective regulator of health and care services that the public and providers need and deserve. “Work is underway to improve how we’re using our new regulatory approach. We’ve committed to increasing the number of
inspections we are doing so that the public have an up-to-date understanding of quality and providers are able to demonstrate improvement.
“We’re increasing the number of people
working in registration so we can improve waiting times. We’re working to fix and improve our provider portal, and this time we’ll be listening to providers and to our colleagues about the improvements that are needed and how we can design solutions together. We’ll be working with people who use services and providers to develop a shared definition of what good care looks like. And we’re also developing a new approach to relationship management that enables a closer and more consistent contact point for providers.”
Commenting on the interim report, NCF CEO Vic Rayner OBE said: “Credible regulation is an essential cornerstone for both those receiving care and support, and those working within the sector. This report has laid bare the very significant performance and implementation issues that CQC is facing ... The fact that this report has been expeditiously released shows a positive intention by DHSC to start to fix these problems within the regulator and we welcome the clarity the report offers. It is essential that the work to repair the CQC includes a clear focus on what social care providers and the people we support need from a regulator and does not just focus on the needs of the healthcare sector.”
apetito announces major solar panel investment
apetito has announced a £1.3m investment to increase the number of solar panels used at its main manufacturing site in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
In addition to placing panels across roofs on site, the meals provider will also build a carport dedicated to housing yet more panels to maximise generation. Through this installation – due to begin this Autumn – just over 10 per cent of all electricity used across the entire site will be generated by solar panels, which apetito estimates will save around 220 tonnes of CO2
per year. apetito aims to achieve net zero by 2040.
With electricity representing almost 30 per cent of its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the solar panel project is therefore of high importance to ensure these short-term targets are met. Lee Sheppard, apetito’s director of
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corporate affairs, policy and sustainability, said: “When we set our carbon commitment to net zero back in 2021, it was extremely important to us that we did not simply make a claim without a strong commitment to act now. Having a clear three stage carbon reduction plan in place ensures that we are being held accountable for our actions and making immediate change to reduce our carbon footprint.
“This significant investment in renewables highlights this commitment and our continued efforts to decarbonise the business in the right way. This project is an important milestone to reaching our ambitious short-term Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets by further increasing our self-generation of electricity, particularly across our manufacturing operations.”
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2024 Millennium Care
achieves B Corp status Millennium Care Group has achieved B Corp accreditation, which holds organisations to the highest social and environmental standards. A B Corporation (B Corp) is a for- profit company that has achieved certification which covers five key areas of impact, including Governance, Workers, Environment, Community, and Customers, with organisations required to reach a benchmark score. Following a rigorous verification process, the Millennium Care Group became B Corp certified by B Lab – the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement. Points are achieved by providing
evidence of responsible practice, whether that be social or environmental. Millennium Care scored 81.2 points – 59 per cent higher than those attempting accreditation for the first time. Millennium Care MD Omair Haider said: “As a B Corp, we’re now part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. As one of, or potentially the first care home provider to achieve the certification, we hope that we can act as a driver for positive change in our industry. “Although we’re proud of our
achievement, the B Impact Assessment that determined Millennium’s final score has highlighted key areas we need to improve to best support our residents, staff and communities. “As an organisation, we want to champion other providers within our industry to join the B Corp movement as we build a better future, today.”
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