The independent regulator of health
and social care in England

Update from CQC

31 October 2024

A regular update for providers and professionals working in healthcare services

Feedback on rating characteristics

Feedback printed on top of a notepad with person holding a pencil on right handside. Rubber, pen and postit notes scattered around the note pad

Following the reviews into our regulatory approach led by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards we want to work with you to make improvements to how we regulate.

Over the next few months, we'll be offering opportunities to work with us to co-design elements of our regulatory approach, through sessions, surveys like this and more.

We’ve heard that you’d like more information on what we consider to be good and outstanding care.

To support this, we’re starting a period of engagement to help develop new ratings characteristics that will describe what we would expect to see at different ratings levels.

We're sharing a draft set of ratings characteristics. We want to know if you think these give enough information / which areas need more detail.

Watch the recording of our recent session on ratings characteristics.

Change NHS

Change NHS image

The NHS has been there for us for over 76 years. But to make sure the NHS is here for the next 76 years, doing all it can to support the health of everyone, we need your help.

We want to have the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS.

It doesn’t matter whether you have a lot or a little to say. Your views, experiences and ideas will shape a new 10 Year Health Plan for England. 

This is open to everyone. If you are a member of the public or someone who works in health and care in England, go to start here, to tell us how the NHS needs to change.

If you are contributing as a representative of an organisation, complete the organisation questionnaire. This is an early opportunity to share your insights as we begin an extensive programme of engagement to develop the 10 Year Health Plan. 

If you register your email address, we will stay in touch to seek your views as the 10 Year Health Plan develops.

Your Voice Matters: Join Our "Share For Better Care" Webinar - Empowering patients to improve health and social care through feedback

Webinar promotion poster

Patients' experiences can provide vital lessons for health and care services, helping it understand what is working and what needs improvement. However, only some know how to speak up about their care, and health and care services could be better at telling people how they can provide feedback and why this matters.

The Patients Association is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 6 November, from 10 - 11am to discuss this issue.

Join the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Healthwatch England, and the Patients Association to:

• Hear about their campaign, which aims to support more people to have their say on health and care services
• Understand the barriers that exist to giving feedback and potential solutions
• Listen to patients explain first-hand their experience of providing feedback and how this improved their care
• Discuss the current ways people provide feedback and what more can be done to ensure patients' voices are heard.

With the NHS currently consulting on its 10-year plan to reform, it's never been a better time to discuss how we can ensure patients have a stronger voice today and in the future.

Workforce inequalities in health and social care survey

Do you work in a dental practice, GP surgery, independent healthcare provider, hospital, NHS 111, community or mental health service? If so, we’d love to hear your views by 11 November.

The Institute for Employment Studies, on behalf of the Care Quality Commission, are conducting research looking into workplace inequalities in the health and social care profession. We are looking for responses from health and social care professionals, on whether you have personally experienced and/or observed discriminatory or unequal treatment in your workplace. The research will enable the CQC to support employees and employers alike in tackling inequalities.

This survey closes on the 11 November. Please share this survey link with your networks and colleagues.

Other news

• Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel, where we share the latest updates on our new regulatory approach.
• CQC commissioned SQW, supported by The King’s Fund Library Service and Dr Tammy Boyce, to deliver a rapid evidence review and series of interviews to explore how regulators can tackle inequalities experienced by those using or needing services. The latest episode of SQW’s Insight for Impact podcast explores key learnings from this research. CQC’s Lucy Wilkinson joins guest speakers from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Institute of Regulation and SQW, to discuss the findings from the research, key themes and interesting takeaways. The podcast considers implications for CQC and for regulators in all sectors. Listen to the podcast. 
• Registration fee invoices are currently being sent by post to a provider’s registered address. If you are expecting an invoice and have not received it, please email NCSC.Finance@cqc.org.uk to request a copy. Please include your contact details and provider ID. We will email a copy invoice out as soon as possible. We are managing a large number of enquiries at present.
• The Patient Safety Principles were created as part of the Commissioner’s statutory duties, following a public consultation that received over 800 responses, which are analysed in detail here. These principles offer a framework for decision-making, planning, and collaborative efforts, encouraging healthcare professionals to work with patients as partners within a just, learning-focused culture. They are intended for everyone involved in the healthcare system.
• Earlier this month the nuclear and radiological safety: follow up review of the UK framework 2024 was published.