The Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and social care services in England. The commission seeks to ensure the quality and safety of care in hospitals, dentists, ambulances, and care homes, and the care given in people’s own homes.

In particular, the CQC register care providers, monitor, inspect and rate services, take action to protect people who use services and publish views on major quality issues in health and social care.

The CQC is changing the way it regulates health and social care services, and has developed a ‘single assessment framework’. In addition, the CQC have published interim guidance on how it will assess local authorities and ICSs. The guidance is currently awaiting final approval from the Secretary of State.

Getting in touch with the CQC

You may wish to get in touch with the CQC to:

  • Provide feedback about your health and care services
  • To compare services in your local area to others

Further reading

Interim guidance and update to assessing local authorities.
Interim guidance on our approach to assessing integrated care systems 

Learn more

Find out more about key organisations and teams within the NHS: