CQC Daily Breakfast Briefings from Jess McGregor

In the week of the CQC on-site visit, 18 November to 20 November, Jess McGregor will provide daily breakfast briefings where she will share some short, snappy updates about what’s coming, as well as any reflections that senior managers had.

If you have any reflections you would like to share about your experience of inspection please do drop a line to [email protected] or find us on the 7^th floor to have a chat.

Wednesday 20 November

 

What happened yesterday:

Yesterday was a busy day of one-to-one interviews and focus groups across a broad range of functions and teams. Throughout the day, I was struck by how positive people felt about their conversations with CQC, and there was such a lively feeling across the 7th floor. 

My meeting with CQC:

I received some initial feedback from CQC about their experiences when I met with them yesterday evening. Whilst they didn't give too much away, I was heartened to hear how they enjoyed meeting so many of you, and how you feel you are well-supported and freed up to work innovatively in your day-to-day work. They noted our focus on co-production and listening to our communities, our work with partners such as the Voluntary and Community Sector, and how focused we are on improving our offer for carers, autistic adults and our mental health arrangements.

What’s happening today:  

It’s another busy day today with CQC, finalising their themed focus groups and meetings with frontline teams. There will also be three one-to-one interviews across the council's senior leadership, with myself, our Chief Executive Jenny Rowlands, and our Director of Health and Wellbeing Kirsten Watters.

CQC will also be running three more drop-in sessions today. Each session is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. You can find the time and locations of these below:

• Staff sessions 10.00-10.30 and 10.40-11.10 in 8.1 Waterlow
• Managers session 11.20-11.50 in 8.1 Waterlow

Tuesday 19 November

 

How yesterday went:

Yesterday we welcomed the CQC team to 5 Pancras Square and they had a full afternoon meeting with our commissioned providers, Cllr Anna Wright, our Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, and a number of you across three drop-in sessions. There was a real buzz around the office and we really enjoyed hearing from colleagues after their sessions. We received some wonderful feedback from our providers too, who put the relationships we form with them at the front and centre of their conversation.

What’s happening today:  

• One-to-one interviews, including a session with Margaretha Staines, our Principal Social Worker.
• Focus groups with frontline teams, such as our OTs, mental health and neighbourhood teams, and with colleagues across commissioning, quality assurance, brokerage and direct payments.
• I will also have an opportunity to hear some early feedback from the inspection team about what they are finding so far, which I look forward to sharing with you tomorrow.

Reminder of the drop-ins on Wednesday:

CQC will be running three more open sessions on Wednesday. Each session is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. You can find the time and locations of these below:

• Staff sessions 00-10.30and 10.40-11.10 in 8.1 Waterlow 
• Managers session 20-11.50 in 8.1 Waterlow

Remember, if you'd like to share your reflections and your experience of inspection, please do drop us a line as we'd love to hear from you. 

Thanks everyone for all your hard work, and to those who spoke so passionately to CQC yesterday about the work we do – and best of luck to everyone involved in the process today.

Monday 18 November

 

What’s happening today: 

• We’re expecting CQC inspectors to join us in the afternoon today – they are likely to arrive and get settled in for 1.30pm.

• Today they’ll be holding a focus group with our registered providers, meeting Cllr Anna Wright, our Cabinet member, and running three drop-in sessions. Please remember numbers for these sessions are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. 
• We’re particularly excited for CQC to find out more about how we work with our providers today – we're really proud of our relationships and the work we do together in Camden and it is an important part of the story we want to tell.