Changes to our Work Programme during COVID-19 Alert Level 4

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has decided to pause all new, routine work associated with our adapted quality check and inspection activity in the NHS from 20 December at least until the end of January 2021, at which time we will review our decision.

We will take a supportive and pragmatic approach to our planned work in the independent healthcare sector and work with settings to ensure it is proportionate. We will cease activity in the independent sector where settings are closed due to official COVID-19 regulations, for example, close contact services providing laser treatment.

We’ve taken the decision in light of the current and anticipated pressure on services in Wales due the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will continue to discharge our functions through our broader assurance work during this period.

Alun Jones, Interim Chief Executive of HIW, said:

We need to consider the burden of any activities we conduct at a time when healthcare services are under intense pressure. We also have a duty to consider the welfare of patients, healthcare workers and our own staff.

Whilst our role of checking whether standards in healthcare are being met will continue, our decision aims to help those who deliver services to concentrate on providing healthcare at this time.

We have therefore stopped our routine quality check and inspection activity in the NHS from 20 December until at least the end of January 2021. It may, however, still be necessary to carry out inspection or other activity where there is a very high, imminent risk to patient safety. We will take a supportive and pragmatic approach to our planned work in the independent healthcare sector and work with settings to ensure it is proportionate.

We will actively review this decision on a weekly basis, taking account of pressure on services.