The CQC recently sat down with providers in Manchester, London, Leicester, and Bristol in a series of roadshows, which they have now completed. 

The purpose was to discuss the 4 key areas they want to improve in:

1.    Improving their technology and provider portal
2.    Shaping the content of their assessment framework
3.    Understanding the levels at which they make judgements
4.    Exploring how to build better relationships between providers and inspectors

A New SAF?

Perhaps of most interest to those in the healthcare sector is what will happen to the assessment framework they will be inspected against. On this the CQC have three things to report:

• There’s broad agreement on moving ‘workforce wellbeing’ and ‘enablement’ quality statements under the well-led key question and providers strongly favour merging it with the ’shared direction and culture’ quality statement.
• Equity is crucial – but they will take care to apply it differently to staff and service users, in order to “respect legal and operational realities”.
• Many providers are concerned about the lack of cyber security and risk management provision in the framework, and the duplication of some other elements. The also asked for simpler language. 

Levels of Judgements

Conclusions drawn from the roadshows are:

•    Providers want fewer statements with less complexity
•    They favour scoring at the quality statement level
•    They want ratings to be more transparent and evidence-based
•    The balance is not yet correct when it comes to professional judgement and consistency 

Other themes that emerged was that providers miss having named inspectors, and want more continuity in that regard.

Latest on the Timeline

Earlier this month the CQC gave an update on their timeline for rebuilding their systems and processes, and the trust those in healthcare put in them.

Autumn 2025: Formal consultation

The CQC are preparing a formal consultation that will ask healthcare professionals for their views on the proposals the CQC have developed based on everything they’ve heard. Feedback will directly shape next steps.

Late 2025 into 2026: Early testing and phased improvements

The CQC will begin testing improvements with early adopters helping shape and refine the changes in practice.

2026 onwards: Continuous rollout and improvement

The CQC are at pains to say that “this isn’t a big bang change. It’s a phased, co-designed evolution — guided by your insight”. They will continue to work with those in the sector to make improvements and developments to their approach.

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