 The annual adult inpatient survey shows encouraging improvements in patients’ experiences of hospital care, with many people reporting more positive interactions with staff and greater involvement in decisions about their treatment. Most respondents said they were treated with dignity, kindness and compassion, while confidence and trust in doctors and nurses remained high. More patients also felt able to discuss worries and fears with staff and reported that sufficient nursing support was available.
However, the findings also highlight areas where improvement is still needed. Delays to admission remain a concern, with many patients reporting long waits and a deterioration in their health while waiting for treatment. Discharge planning and post-hospital support continue to be challenging, with around a quarter of respondents saying they did not receive enough support after leaving hospital. People living with frailty, disabilities and certain long-term conditions consistently reported poorer experiences, underlining the need for more personalised and equitable care.
In the final of our blog series Toli Onon, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, shares feedback and reflections from hospitals, secondary care and specialist providers on our draft assessment framework following a series of roadshows and engagement events earlier in the year.
While providers broadly welcome the move towards sector specific regulation, a stronger focus on outcomes, and greater emphasis on people’s experiences of care, confidence in the framework will depend on how consistently it is applied in practice.
You can catch up on the other blogs in the series on Medium.
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 In May 2026 we consulted on draft proposed guidance for providers that may need to register with CQC to deliver health care and treatment at events.
We developed this guidance following changes to the law introduced by the government. The changes to the regulations mean that providers delivering health care or treatment at an event must register with CQC if their service meets the criteria for the regulated activity of Treatment of disease, disorder or injury (TDDI).
Providers will be able to submit their application to register from 7 September 2026.
We have now published our response to this consultation, which ran between 9 May and 19 June 2026. This summarises the responses and feedback received, highlights key concerns raised, and sets out how we have addressed these through our guidance, where possible.
A more detailed analysis of feedback received through our online survey and engagement activity is also available.
To give providers enough time to prepare for registration and to reduce disruption for the events industry, the government has introduced the new requirements in stages. In the first stage (7 September 2026 to 1 March 2027), providers will be able to register with CQC. During this period, providers can submit a registration application or, if they are already registered with CQC to deliver TDDI, update their Statement of Purpose where necessary.
There will then be a further period for CQC to process applications before the new legislation takes effect.
CQC's regulatory monitoring, assessment and inspection activity, and enforcement powers under the new requirements, will begin on 6 December 2027.
We’re looking forward to exhibiting at Best Practice Birmingham 2026, taking place at the NEC from 7-8 October.
Visit our stand (P10) to hear about our work and speak to experts on hand to answer any questions you have on inspection and registration.
We’ll also have speaker sessions, including a keynote on the future of regulation from our Director of Primary Care, Dr Paul Johnson, and a session on practice managers and CQC building better ways of working.
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The Digital Care Hub is hosting its first Digital Care Summit London on 23 September 2026, bringing together leaders from adult social care, health and technology for a practical day of discussion and shared learning. The summit will focus on digital transformation, partnership working and neighbourhood health, exploring how digital tools, better data sharing and stronger collaboration can support more joined-up, preventative and person-centred care. Apply for a place.
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