At the end of last week, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, took the decision to issue the interim findings of the review into the CQC being carried out by Dr Penny Dash.

He did so because of the extent of the failings already identified, and to allow actions to improve the regulator to start straight away.

These changes are much needed.

At the Fremantle Trust, we want a strong and knowledgeable regulator. We have always operated transparently, and we look forward to seeing the improvements that have been promised. The responsibility for good care and transparency always lies with us as providers. Great care is what we endeavour to deliver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whilst the CQC has not visited as regularly as we would expect, those who use and visit our services should be reassured that we have had recent CQC inspections as well as Local Authority quality reviews. We also have our own internal quality assurance team and robust processes to monitor the quality of our services.

We expect the CQC will improve dramatically now that focus has been applied by government, and we should see this as a very good thing for The Fremantle Trust.

We can reassure those who live with us, and their loved ones, that their care is of the highest standard.