CQC reports major progress in regulatory overhaul.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced in late 2025 that it has made “notable progress” in fixing past backlogs and improving how it regulates services. For example, CQC cleared a backlog of almost 500 pending assessment reports (now down to 4) and completed over 4,300 service assessments by November 2025, far outpacing the 9,000-by-September-2026 target. New leadership structures are also in place: CQC reorganised into specialist inspectorates (mental health, hospitals, primary/community, and social care) under four Chief Inspectors.

Importantly, CQC has engaged extensively on a new single assessment framework. A public consultation (“Better regulation, better care”) closed in Dec 2025 with over 1,700 submissions. Next steps include drafting the revised framework and rating criteria (by 2027) and piloting new digital tools and AI to speed inspections.

Regulatory implications: Providers can expect more consistent, data-informed inspections and updates to the assessment framework. As CQC rebuilds, it will push to resolve “long-neglected” cases and adopt clearer rating criteria.

Key actions for providers:

- Stay informed of CQC updates (subscribe to newsletters) and plan to engage in framework consultations.
- Review your current CQC ratings and inspection history to anticipate upcoming visits.
- Prepare for new digital tools (e.g. online self-assessment) that CQC may introduce.
- Strengthen data collection and governance at your service to support any new evidence-based inspection methods.

In summary, the CQC’s recovery plan means providers should welcome faster inspections and updated guidance but remain proactive in understanding forthcoming changes.