Regulator profile
CQC
Care Quality Commission
Enforcement Regulator4 areas of regulation · 846 official guidance documents · 15 laws enforced · England
What CQC does
Independent regulator of health and social care in England. Registers, monitors, inspects and rates hospitals, care homes, GP practices, dental surgeries, and other care services. Ensures services meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. Can take enforcement action against providers failing to meet standards.
Additional information
All regulated activities (healthcare, nursing, personal care) require CQC registration. Publishes inspection reports and ratings (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate).
Contact CQC
Types of regulation
Official guidance from CQC
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
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Dental mythbuster 18: Decontamination in the dental treatment room - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Good governance of medicines - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Reporting medicine related incidents - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Appropriate use of psychotropic medicines in adult social care - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Consent to care and treatment - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Consent to care and treatment: good - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Consent to care and treatment: inadequate - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
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Consent to care and treatment: outstanding - Care Quality Commission
Detailed Guidance England
Legal framework
Legislation that CQC directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- HSCCHSA 2003 Act 2003
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Act 2006
- Mental Health Act 2007 Act 2007
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 Act 2008
- Health Act 2009 Act 2009
- Health and Social Care Act 2012 Act 2012
- Care Act 2014 Act 2014
- HSCSQA 2015 Act 2015
- Health and Care Act 2022 Act 2022
Secondary legislation
- Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
- Care Quality Commission (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument 2012
- Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013 UK Statutory Instrument 2013
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 UK Statutory Instrument 2014
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 UK Statutory Instrument 2015
- Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
Related legislation
Legislation connected to CQC's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Administered / monitored
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Mental Health Act 1983
UK Act of Parliament 1983 -
Mental Capacity Act 2005
UK Act of Parliament 2005 -
Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009
UK Statutory Instrument 2009 -
Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019
UK Act of Parliament 2019
Referenced in enforcement
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RISCWA 2016
UK Act of Parliament 2016 -
HSCQEWA 2020
UK Act of Parliament 2020
Coverage area
England