This review was initially proposed by the leadership of CQC before the publication of the interim report by Dr Penny Dash. [1] Coincident with that publication in late July 2024, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that I would be conducting a rapid review of CQC and, in particular, to consider whether the single assessment framework introduced in late 2023 is fit for purpose.

To do this, it is necessary to consider both the single assessment framework and the approach to its implementation. I have also taken account of the comments related to CQC in Lord Darzi’s recent report on the NHS. [2]

The importance of an effective regulator of the quality and safety of care has been re-emphasised in Dr Penny Dash’s report and has been further confirmed by multiple providers of health and care services who participated in the current review. Effective regulation can identify failings in the delivery of care and can assist providers in making improvements. Examples of such improvements in hospitals, primary care and adult social care have previously been published by CQC. [3], [4], [5]

Notes

[1] Review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission: Interim report, Dr Penny Dash, DHSC, 26 July 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-into-the-operational-effectiveness-of-the-care-quality-commission

[2] Independent investigation of the NHS in England, Lord Darzi of Denham, September 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-investigation-of-the-nhs-in-england

[3] ‘Driving improvement: Case studies from NHS trusts’, CQC, 2017, https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/evaluation/driving-improvement-case-studies-nhs-trusts, Driving improvement: Case studies from eight independent hospitals, CQC, 2019 https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/evaluation/driving-improvement-case-studies-eight-independent-hospitals

[4] ‘Driving improvement: Case studies from 10 GP practices’, CQC, 2018, https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/evaluation/driving-improvement-case-studies-10-gp-practices

[5] ‘Driving improvement: Case studies from nine adult social care services’, CQC, 2018, https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/evaluation/driving-improvement-case-studies-nine-adult-social-care-services