CQC Reports Significant Progress in Regulatory Overhaul as New Framework Takes Shape
The Care Quality Commission has outlined substantial advances in its rebuilding programme, with inspection backlogs virtually eliminated and a major consultation informing the next phase of regulatory reform.
The health and social care regulator has, it says, made considerable headway in addressing the operational challenges that have hindered its effectiveness over recent years, according to its latest progress report.
At the beginning of 2025, approximately 500 assessment reports were stuck in the system awaiting processing. The CQC has now reduced this backlog to just four reports, marking a dramatic improvement in its ability to deliver timely assessments to providers.
The organisation has also exceeded its inspection targets, publishing 4,308 assessments against a goal of 9,000 by September 2026. November 2025 saw a 50% increase in completed assessments compared to the same month in 2024, demonstrating the impact of internal reforms.
Structural Changes
A significant restructuring has seen the CQC reorganise into four operational inspectorates based on sector expertise. The new structure is led by Chief Inspectors Professor Bola Owolabi CBE for Primary Care and Community Services, Dr Toli Onon for Hospitals, Chris Badger for Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, and Dr Arun Chopra for Mental Health, who currently serves as Interim Chief Executive.
The regulator has also strengthened its senior leadership, appointing Professor Sir Mike Richards as Chair and recruiting new Non-Executive Directors alongside key executive appointments.
Registration Improvements
The CQC has increased its number of registration inspectors to tackle application backlogs and piloted improvements to homecare registration focusing on speed, clearer guidance and enhanced decision-making. These changes are being rolled out across other sectors, with testing underway for a simplified registration form and improved online guidance.
Framework Consultation
The organisation’s consultation on its assessment framework, titled “Better regulation, better care”, attracted over 1,600 responses from providers, stakeholders and the public across England. The feedback, which followed concerns raised in external reviews by Dr Penny Dash, Professor Sir Mike Richards and the Care Provider Alliance, will inform refinements to the CQC’s approach.
The consultation focused on developing assessment frameworks and guidance, alongside changing methods for inspecting, assessing and awarding ratings to health and care services.
Looking Ahead
The CQC’s improvement plan for 2026 to 2028 sets out priorities including responding to consultation feedback, redesigning the regulatory framework, and testing new methodology and technology.
The regulator also plans to co-design new digital systems, including improvements to the provider portal and digitisation of registration processes, and has committed to establishing a clear and consistent approach for managing relationships with providers as it moves into the next phase of its rebuilding programme.
Chris Badger, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, emphasised that the new structure puts sector expertise back at the heart of regulation and better reflects the needs of both the public and providers.
