The meaning and value of coproduction to CQC
Monthly column for providers and professionals working in adult social care from Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care.
You have probably read some of my previous blogs about coproduction but I don’t think I have talked about it in this column for a while. There is a strong tradition of coproduction in adult social care and at CQC we have certainly embraced this way of working.
We strive to coproduce as much as possible at CQC because we want to listen to the views of not only providers, but also the people that matter most — those using services, their carers and families. When we develop guidance and resources for providers, and for the public, we need to get the views of as many people as possible — we know we are not perfect and cannot think of everything!
I want everyone who has an interest in what CQC does or is impacted by our work, to have an opportunity to be involved in the development of our approach
Inviting a range of people is one of the keys to coproduction, and we make sure we include providers, trade associations, experts by experience, and of course people who use services and carers. This is by no means the whole list of who we invite, and we are always open to suggestions of who should be involved in our coproduction events. I want everyone who has an interest in what CQC does or is impacted by our work, to have an opportunity to be involved in the development of our approach.
This month we also had the pleasure of helping to promote the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) national coproduction week which was held from 2–6 July. This year the team at SCIE focused on the barriers to coproduction and the solutions for breaking these down. Our own Debbie Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, attended the coproduction festival and took part in a panel discussion on this topic. SCIE has been promoting coproduction for many years and this is the third year they have had an official coproduction week. There are lots of resources on the SCIE website about coproduction including a Have We Got Co-Production News For You video in which I featured when I was SCIE’s Chief Executive! And before you ask, the black eye I appear to be sporting was from falling off my bike.
One of the reasons coproduction is on my mind is because we are holding our first ever cross sector coproduction event on 31 July. This will feature sessions that are relevant across health and social care and will be a fantastic opportunity for myself and colleagues to gain the insight of an even wider ranging group of people. I am very much looking forward to this event and think it will be invaluable to us an organisation.
People living in care homes and other health and care settings, particularly those with long-term illnesses, need to be monitored appropriately and supported to stay well.
This month’s column would not be complete without me mentioning again the ever-surprising summer weather we are experiencing at the moment, which although enjoyable for some is also something we must take seriously. The risks of overheating and becoming dehydrated are much greater for older people and those in vulnerable circumstances. People living in care homes and other health and care settings, particularly those with long-term illnesses, need to be monitored appropriately and supported to stay well. So let’s all commit to enjoying the weather, but also staying #TempAware and making sure those who need extra care get it. There’s more information in our news story.
Lastly, below is my own coproduction commitment: to make sure people using services, their families and carers are at the heart of everything CQC does.
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