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Towards Outstanding is an essential guide for health and social care services that are regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Written by a senior CQC inspector, it shows how a mindset of getting the basics right then applying context-specific finishing touches can allow any service to drive improvement and move towards an 'Outstanding' rating. The author also explores why, in addition to other patient and organisational benefits, good care is cheaper to provide than poor care. Structuring her advice around the 'five questions' that CQC inspectors use (are services safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led?), she draws on personal vignettes to paint a picture of a service where trust, positivity, a shared vision, and a commitment to continuous improvement allow staff to generate new ideas, reflect on best practice, raise concerns where necessary, and keep the patient at the centre of all activity.
About the author
Terri Salt is Inspection Manager for the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the regulator of all health and social care services in England. Until recently she was Head of Hospital Inspection for North London. As one of the longest serving regulators in the country, Terri is unique in having regulated all types of services (today's inspectors specialise in only one). She awarded the very first 'Outstanding' rating, (for end of life care at Frimley Park Hospital), and she has awarded more 'Outstanding' ratings to hospitals than any other member of CQC staff.
Summary
Written by a highly experienced senior CQC Inspector, Towards Outstanding offers an inside look at the qualities and approaches that lead to 'Outstanding' ratings in health and social care - and shows how any service provider can set out to do the same
