The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is taking steps to rebuild effective and trusted regulation following concerns raised across the health and care sectors.  As part of this work, it is focusing on improving consistency, transparency, and engagement with providers—including GP Practices.

Between April 2025 and September 2026, the CQC aims to complete at least 9,000 assessments across all providers, including 1,194 in primary and community care.  From April to 29 June 2025, they completed 1,420 assessments—exceeding their monthly targets.

However, the CQC acknowledges that its current assessment approach is too complex and not flexible enough across all sectors.  To address this, they’ve started working with staff, providers, the public, and stakeholders to improve the process in four key areas:

1. The content of the assessment framework

   • Reviewing duplication of quality statements

   • Improving clarity and wording

   • Outcome: A revised and refined list of quality statements

2. Application of the assessment framework

   • Defining which quality statements apply to each sector

   • Outcome: Sector-specific assessment frameworks

3. Making and maintaining judgements

   • Reviewing how ratings are given and updated

   • Clarifying assessment frequency and how ratings remain current

   • Outcome: A clearer, consistent approach to ratings

4. Rating characteristics

   • Defining and describing ratings across all sectors

   • Outcome: A comprehensive list of rating characteristics matched to each framework

For GP Practices, this work aims to result in a more predictable, consistent, and supportive regulatory approach.  The CQC is also prioritising clearer communication, better use of data, and ongoing dialogue with the sector to shape future improvements.

👉 Read the full article on the CQC website