Guidance regarding the general enforcement of data collection has now been released. If you work in homecare or if you work in private nursing then you will know how impactful things like this can be. Bespoke care packages are often offered by social workers as well as those who work in mental health. It was suggested that data be collected from people through avenues such as this but now the guidance regarding it has now been clarified. The Department have said that they are not going to issue any notice to anybody before the end of April this year. A fine is going to, of course, be a last resort. The level of the financial penalty is going to be around the same amount as the CQC registration fee. It is important to know that there are going to be four stages that make up the general enforcement process and that this is going to take place over a set number of months. Stage one is going to involve getting in touch with providers to make sure that they are given support and guidance before the upcoming submission date.

Stage two is going to be very similar to stage one and stage three is going to act on those who are not providing data. If someone is not providing data then they are going to be served with a notice of intent. They are going to receive a final notice, and from this point, formal representation can then be made to explain why they are not being compliant. When representations have ultimately been received, if the provider is yet to make any attempt to comply then they could well be given a fine which is going to carry on having an impact on the provider until they eventually reach compliance.