Summary
Directors of NHS providers will have to meet a fit and proper person test from October 2014, subject to parliamentary approval. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) can insist on the removal of directors who fail this test.
Statutory Duty of Candour for Health and Adult Social Care Providers
NHS providers will have to comply with the duty of candour, concerning being open and transparent with service users about their care and treatment (including when something goes wrong). This requirement will apply from October 2014, subject to parliamentary approval.
Fundamental Standards: Improving Transparency and Quality of Care
In response to the Francis Inquiry, measures to improve the quality of care (insuring those responsible for poor care are held accountable), and transparency of providers, will become law in April 2015 (subject to parliamentary approval).
Reference
Requirements for registration with the Care Quality Commission: response to consultations on Fundamental Standards, the Duty of Candour and the Fit and Proper Persons requirement for directors. Leeds: Department of Health, July 2014.
Possibly also of interest:
Reference
Fundamental standards: improving quality and transparency in care. London: Department of Health, July 7th 2014.
Unofficial, possibly salutary, commentary:
Reference
Patterson, J. (2015). A fit and proper ending. London [Online]: NHSNetworks, January 23rd 2015.
