On 26 March, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced plans to give 211 NHS Trusts a licence to provide services under a new, tougher system for regulating standards in the NHS.

We are pleased to announce that we are one of the Trusts registered without condition.

Julie Waldron, Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted that we have been registered without condition by the CQC. We aim to deliver high quality services and it is good to know the CQC has recognised this by giving the Trust unconditional registration.”

From 1 April, NHS Trusts in England will have to be registered with CQC by law to provide care. To be registered, Trusts must show they meet new essential standards of quality and safety, which the regulator will constantly monitor. The new standards cover a range of areas focussed on positive outcomes for service users such as treating people with respect, involving them in decisions about their care and ensuring services are safe.

Where it finds Trusts are not meeting standards, the regulator has stronger enforcement powers than ever before. This can start with a warning notice and escalate to fines, prosecution, restrictions on activities or in extreme cases, closure.