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CPA calls on the CQC to support care providers during pandemic

12 May 2020

In our ongoing discussions with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) has made clear our position, that more needs to be done to relieve the financial burden on care providers.

Data from members of the CPA has clearly evidenced the financial pressures adult social care providers are experiencing during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Managing the pandemic has meant that care providers have seen a substantial increase in costs as a result of staff sick leave payments, backfilling staff vacancies, escalating PPE costs and emerging risks, such as increases in the cost of indemnity insurance.

At the same time, providers are also adversely affected by a significant reduction in revenue. This is due to a reduction in referrals of both state-funded and self-funded clients; decrease in occupancy of care homes due to a high number of deaths; and cancellation of homecare visits by councils and citizens.

The CQC has advised that if any providers are experiencing financial difficulties at this time, ‘they will work constructively with individual providers to find an appropriate solution e.g. payment plan, or Direct Debit plan to support their circumstances.’

Providers can do this by contacting the CQC Billing Team direct at invoice.query@cqc.org.uk  with the appropriate details, which should include:

  • an insight as to how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the provider’s ability to pay fees, and 
  • the support providers are seeking to pay fees at this time.

At an extremely challenging time for the sector, these measures may relief some of the financial pressures experienced by care providers. However, the CPA calls on the CQC to do more and will continue in our discussions with the CQC to this end.


Note to Editors:§

  • The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) brings together the 10 main national associations which represent independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England.  We work to represent the sector and ensure a coordinated response to the major issues that affect it.
  • The Care Provider Alliance is an informal body with a rotating chair. Membership is of the representative associations with a national membership across the whole of England. However, some CPA members also represent services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • Together our members provide care and support to 1.2 million people through residential, home-based and community services, whether commissioned by local authorities and the NHS or privately purchased. Together our members employ over 620,000 care workers.
  • Our members’ services include residential and nursing care, homecare, supported living and extra care housing, shared lives schemes, advocacy and telephone helplines. They support children, adults of working age and older people. 
  • See CPA’s information on coronavirus.
  • Details on CQC fee income available.
  • For more information on the Care Provider Alliance visit our about us page

Media contact: Care Provider Alliance, info@careprovideralliance.org.uk