Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator responsible for making sure health and adult social care services in England deliver safe, effective, person‑centred care. They oversee hospitals, community services, GP practices, dental services, mental health providers, care homes and home‑care agencies.
Before 2009, regulation of health and adult social care in England was split across three separate bodies:
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Healthcare Commission — inspected and assessed the quality of NHS and independent healthcare services.
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Commission for Social Care Inspection — regulated adult social care services such as care homes and home‑care providers.
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Mental Health Act Commission — monitored how the Mental Health Act 1983 was applied, focusing on the rights and safeguards of people detained under the Act.
To bring health and social care regulation together, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 created a single, integrated regulator:
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) — established on 1 April 2009 to replace all three previous bodies.
Clinically, their role is to assure the safety and quality of care by examining how well services protect patients from harm, follow evidence‑based practice, deliver good outcomes, and maintain a culture of openness and learning. They look at staffing, leadership, clinical governance, risk management, safeguarding, infection prevention, medicines safety, and how well teams work together to meet people’s needs.
They gather evidence through inspection, data, patient feedback, staff interviews and clinical documentation. Services are then rated to show whether care is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well‑led. When care falls short, they can require improvements or take enforcement action to protect patients.
Their vision is that everyone receives safe, effective and compassionate care, regardless of setting or circumstance.
The CQC's clinical commitments include
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To the public — They listen to patients, families and carers, act on concerns, and provide clear information so people understand the quality of care they can expect.
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To providers and systems — They support clinical teams and organisations to improve care by setting clear standards, identifying risk early, and encouraging innovation and learning.
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To their workforce — They invest in the capability and wellbeing of their inspectors, clinicians and specialists so they can regulate effectively and consistently.
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To partners — They work with NHS England, ICSs, professional bodies and other regulators to strengthen clinical quality, share insight and improve patient outcomes across the system.