Bed numbers will dictate CQC registration fees

The NHS Confederation had criticised proposals to charge organisations different amounts to register depending on their bed numbers, in its response to a CQC consultation.

A big consultation was done… but none of that seems to have altered their position. It’s disappointing

This would present a disproportionate cost to some organisations and force some trusts to choose between employing frontline staff and registering with the CQC, the confederation warned.

But plans signed off by the CQC last week with minor adjustments still mean fees will be set according to bed numbers.

NHS Confederation policy director Nigel Edwards said in response: “A big consultation was done… but none of that seems to have altered their position. It’s disappointing.”

At a CQC board meeting last Thursday, director of registration Linda Hutchinson admitted there wasn’t “overwhelming support for our recommendations”.

But she said the plans would mean NHS organisations were treated similarly to the independent sector albeit within a “much simpler structure”.

The fees are supposed to be cost neutral but there are still questions over how trusts will be reimbursed.

Commissioner Martin Marshall said: “If it comes through the tariff I’m not sure how that’s going to be done when the tariff will be cut. It will feel to the service that the fee isn’t being redistributed.”

Dr Hutchinson said the CQC was “trying to influence that” and she would report back when there was more to say.