 We're taking an important step towards improving how we assess and rate health and social care providers by moving to a sector-based approach to regulation.
Feedback from our consultation at the end of last year showed overwhelming support for our proposal to move away from a single assessment framework to separate frameworks that are more specific and relevant to the health and care sectors that we regulate.
We have therefore developed an initial 4 draft assessment frameworks. These draft frameworks give clearer, more transparent and consistent judgements about quality across sectors.
We are asking for feedback on these draft frameworks through a survey which closes on 12 June, so don't miss the chance to share your feedback.
Throughout April and May we have also delivered a series of in person and online engagement events specifically on the draft frameworks. We received an overwhelming response to these events and are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to attend one of the events of expressed an interest.
We previously mentioned we would be running online sector-specific events in June. We have decided to pause, take time to review the huge amount of feedback we have received, and hold these events later in the summer when we have a clearer view of the areas that need working through together. Look out for further information on these events in our bulletins.
 We have launched a consultation on our proposed draft guidance following the recent amendments to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to bring health care and treatment delivered at sporting and cultural events into scope of CQC regulation. The guidance aims to help providers and other stakeholders understand whether their activities fall within CQC’s scope and whether they need to register.
If you deliver, organise, or commission event medical services, we would welcome your views on the proposed guidance. Please read the consultation information and respond, and share the consultation with your networks.
We have published an update on our role, expectations and plans in relation to artificial intelligence (AI). We have outlined some of the benefits and risks of AI and set out how our regulatory work has a role in ensuring AI contributes to safe, equitable and person-centred care. The principles of good use of AI provide a high-level illustration of what this means for providers of health and social care services.
Read the full update for more information on AI in health and social care, the potential benefits and risks of AI, our role in the regulation and safe use of AI, and next steps.
We were recently made aware that GP practices received an incorrect invoice issued in April 2026. This was due to an error in our data upload process. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
We have now contacted by email all providers affected by this error, and they have been issued a new correct invoice and a credit note.
No action is required from providers, but please contact us if you have any concerns about your most recent invoice.
 We are aware of the announcement by the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee that resident doctors will stage a 4-day walkout from 7am on Monday 15 June 2026 to 6.59am on Friday 19 June 2026. We commend all health and care staff, both those taking part and those not taking part in industrial action, for maintaining a collaborative approach to prioritising patient safety. We recognise the management and leadership challenges for providers in maintaining high quality care.
As the regulator, our default position over this period of industrial action will be to continue our inspection activity as intended. If individual providers have particular concerns we encourage them to contact their local inspection team so that together we ensure people using services are not disadvantaged in any way.
Our inspection teams are always mindful to minimise disruption for providers, but are particularly conscious during periods such as this. We commit to working with providers on our shared objective – that regulation should support improvements in care.
We have published a joint working protocol with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), setting out how we will work together to support oversight and improvement across health and adult social care.
The protocol outlines how we will collaborate at national, regional, and local level, including how we will share information, align our priorities and work more closely to support people who use services. It reflects our shared commitment to improving outcomes and ensuring that services are safe, effective and well-led.
Working with system partners, such as ADASS, is an important part of how we carry out our role. This protocol provides greater clarity on how we will coordinate our activity with local authorities and wider system partners to support improvement and respond to emerging risks.
We have also published a news story explaining how we are working with ADASS and what this means in practice.
We have updated our dental mythbuster on safe use of lasers to include 2 other guidelines, which were not included previously:
- The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 requires employers to protect workers from the health risks associated with the use of artificial optical radiation, such as lasers.
- Laser safety in dental practice in the United Kingdom (British Dental Journal, 2025, by S. Parker and M. Cronshaw).
 We are exploring the potential use of Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) to support inspection and regulatory activity, as part of a pilot funded by the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund. AVT tools can securely capture and transcribe conversations during care delivery or inspections, helping to support evidence gathering and reduce administrative burden.
We are keen to hear from health and social care providers about your awareness, experience and views on AVT, including its potential benefits and any concerns. Your feedback will help shape our approach to ensuring the safe, ethical and appropriate use of this technology in our work.
The survey is confidential, voluntary, and will not affect how services are regulated.
- The Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have published guidance for acute hospitals and their local authority partners on how Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) should be applied in acute settings. Read more.
- The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have published further guidance and advice on thickening using thickener products. Read more.
-
Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel, where we share the latest news and updates on improving how we work.
|
