According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), providers led by GPs of an ethnic minority background have raised concerns that they do not receive the same regulatory outcomes from CQC as providers led by GPs of a non-ethnic minority background.
Research conducted by the CQC has identified an interrelationship between factors that can lead to poorer regulatory outcomes for providers led by GPs of an ethnic minority background. The research concluded that:
- Internal or practice factors often have a disproportionate impact on practices where many ethnic minority GPs work. Ethnic minority-led GP practices are often operating single-handedly, which results in challenges in support, resourcing and capacity. These additional burdens affect the ability of a practice to show evidence that it is meeting regulatory requirements.
- There are wider, contextual factors that affect ethnic minority-led GP practices – in particular the efforts required to respond to the health inequalities of patients in areas of deprivation.
- Practices in areas of deprivation struggle with lower funding and systems of support. This work has demonstrated the need for better system-wide engagement in addressing these factors, and we hope to further this conversation through the findings from this report.
Defining an ethnic minority-led GP practice
The CQC defines an ethnic minority-led GP practice:
- Where 50% or more of the GP partners are of an ethnic minority background; or
- The individual provider or single-handed GP is of an ethnic minority background.
Why does it matter?
For any GP practice, a poor (or downgraded) CQC rating or enforcement action can often be severe. The CQC research suggests that practices led by GPs of an ethnic minority background are at particular and heightened risk of poorer regulatory outcomes.
Aside from the reputational and financial damage poor outcomes can lead to, GPs have also reported on the adverse impact this can have on their own, and their staff’s, health. The same research found that (in summary):
- 38% (156/410) of ethnic minority-led practices, compared with 26% (92/349) of non-ethnic minority-led practices, reported that one or more GPs in their practice experienced an adverse impact on their mental health because of the inspection process.
- 51% (210/410) of those who identified as ethnic minority-led, compared with 41% (142/349) of non-ethnic minority-led practices, experienced a negative impact on their personal and/or family life because of the inspection process.
- 23% (93/410) of respondents from ethnic minority-led practices, compared with 7% (24/349) of respondents from non-ethnic minority-led practices, reported adverse physical health problems because of the inspection process.
- 23% (93/410) of ethnic minority-led practices, compared with 7% (23/349) of non-ethnic minority-led practices, felt that there had been an increase in staff sickness because of the inspection process.
What drives inspections
It is important for GPs of an ethnic minority background to understand the drivers for inspections undertaken by the CQC. According to the regulator, the top three drivers are:
- whistleblowing concerns
- information of concern raised by the Integrated Care Systems (ICSs)
- deterioration in performance of key indicators (QOF, GP Patient Survey, Public Health)
How Kings View Resolutions is here to help you
Drawing on over 30 years’ combined experience in the health and care sector, we are a sector leader in all matter relating to regulation and compliance.
We can help providers led by GPs of an ethnic minority background with all their compliance and regulatory requirements, including:
- Whistleblowing policies
- Working ethos and culture
- Staff training and awareness
- Regulatory advice
- Advice on how to approach and deal with internal investigations and reviews
- Advice on how to deal and interact with whistleblowers
- Advice on interrelated and associated policies and procedures
- Representation in any legal and regulatory matters arising from staff whistleblowing
Through our experience, we have gained a reputation as one of the best, rated excellent by clients and customers and known for taking a hands-on, practical and pragmatic approach to our work. Speak to one of our legal consultants today.
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Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. Kings View Chambers accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any action taken, or not taken, in relation to this article. You should seek the appropriate legal advice having regard to your own particular circumstances.
