CQC to invite GP views on updated assessment process

GP practices will be included in a formal consultation on improving CQC assessments this autumn, according to the watchdog. 

In a blog post addressed to healthcare providers, CQC director of engagement Chris Day said it was preparing a ‘formal consultation’ to canvas views on changes developed at roadshow events held across England this year. 

Mr Day thanked providers for their ‘candour, passion, and professionalism’ in giving feedback at the events, which focused on:  

• Improving the use of technology;

• Making a clearer assessment framework; 

• Simplifying scoring methods;

• A return to ‘relationship-based regulation’ with named inspectors. 

The CQC is preparing a ‘formal consultation’ of CQC-registered providers this autumn on the proposals generated by the roadshow events, Mr Day said.

This will be followed by ‘early testing and phased improvements’ in late 2025 and into 2026 using ‘early adopters’, before a gradual rollout of the changes next year.

A CQC spokesperson told Pulse providers have not yet been selected for this phase, but said GP practices would be involved in it.

Last year, the Dash review into the CQC’s operational effectiveness found it had ‘lost credibility’ among providers, including a marked increase in the time it took to re-inspect healthcare services.  

Average re-inspection times increased from 87 days in 2015 to 136 days in 2024 for ‘inadequate’ ratings, and from 142 days to 360 days during the same period for ‘requires improvement’ ratings. 

The RCGP called for a halt to inspections in response to the review, though this was not acted upon. 

Despite this, the recently-published NHS 10-year health plan increased its powers and scope. 

This included absorbing the functions of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), extending the current three-year time limit to bring legal action against healthcare providers, and monitoring providers’ freedom to speak up functions. 

The plan also proposed the CQC being aided by an AI-powered early warning system monitoring real-time data to flag safety issues and trigger ‘rapid response inspections’. 

The watchdog told Pulse development of the early warning system will form part of their plans going forward.

In July, a second review by Dr Dash into patient safety in healthcare more broadly, proposed a ‘more customised approach’ to account for the variation in the size and capacity of providers. 

Earlier this year, the watchdog confirmed inspection reports for 14 GP practices had been delayed for months due to assessments being ‘stuck’ in its IT systems. 

GPs told Pulse the delays in publishing reports caused ‘significant’ problems for their practices, penalising them in contractual arrangements and making it more difficult to recruit staff.