Effective · KLOE 2

Delivering evidence-based care and treatment

Is care and treatment delivered in line with current legislation, standards, evidence-based guidance and good practice?

CQC wording, secondary and specialist hospital care draft v0.6, pages 24 to 26.

Draft, not the current assessment framework

CQC's secondary and specialist hospital care draft v0.6, published March 2026. The current quality statements remain in use.

CQC draft scope

What this proposed KLOE covers

Scope of this key line of enquiry and topic areas include:

The draft applies one framework across secondary and specialist hospital care, but useful evidence depends on your service and people.

Source: CQC, Hospitals (secondary and specialist care) assessment framework, draft v0.6, 19 March 2026, pages 24 to 26. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

CQC draft rating characteristics

These are CQC's draft characteristics. CQC says rating characteristics guide judgements, they are not a mechanical checklist.

People receive a range of care and treatment options that are based on substantiated evidence and are responsive to their individual needs, preferences and aspirations.
There are rigorous, inclusive and evidence-driven systems that continually enhance people’s care and treatment.
The service is a leader in innovation.
Staff are empowered to participate in research programmes and to develop and share innovations with other services, both locally and nationally.

People receive evidence-based care, treatment and support that aligns with good practice standards, guidance and technological advancements. People receive the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.
All staff understand current legislation, national standards and good practice guidance relevant to their service and apply these effectively. There are good systems to ensure they keep up-to-date and that they embed this in their service.
People are told about current good practice that is relevant to their care, and they, their families and carers are involved in how this is reflected in the care, treatment and support they receive.
Staff are encouraged to learn about new, evidence-based and innovative approaches that can improve how they deliver care.
The service has a clear, consistent, evidence-based approach to managing people’s co-occurring conditions and multiple diagnoses.
People’s nutrition and hydration needs are assessed and met, including their personal or cultural preferences.
Where relevant, services hold and maintain accreditation.
Where people are subject to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA), decisions made about care and treatment comply with the MHA and the MHA Code of Practice. Any departure from the Code of Practice guidance is clearly justified and risk assessed.

People’s care, treatment and support does not always reflect current evidence-based guidance, standards, best practice and technological advancements. People do not always receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
People are at risk of not receiving effective care or treatment. There is a lack of consistency in the effectiveness of the care, treatment and support they receive.
The service’s systems do not always ensure that staff are up-to-date with national legislation, evidence-based good practice and required standards.
People are not always told about current good practice that is relevant to their care, and they are not always involved in how this is reflected in their care plan.
Staff are not routinely encouraged to learn about new evidence-based approaches to improve how the service can deliver care.
The service’s approach to managing people’s co-occurring conditions and multiple diagnoses is not always clear, consistent or based on evidence.
People’s nutrition and hydration needs are not consistently assessed or met. Personal or cultural preferences may not be included in assessments.
Decisions made about care and treatment do not always adhere to the Mental Health Act Code of Practice. Deviation from Code of Practice guidance is not always clearly recorded.

People’s care, treatment and support does not reflect current evidence-based guidance, standards, practice or technology. People do not receive the right care, in the right place at the right time. People receive ineffective care, or there is insufficient assurance to demonstrate otherwise.
The provider’s systems do not ensure that staff are up-to-date with national legislation, evidence-based good practice and required standards, or there are no systems to do so.
People are not told about current good practice that is relevant to their care, and they are not involved in how this is reflected in their care plan.
Staff are not supported or encouraged to learn about new evidence-based approaches to improve how they deliver care.
The service does not have a clear or evidence-based approach to managing people’s co-occurring conditions and multiple diagnoses.
People’s nutrition and hydration needs are not assessed or met. Personal or cultural preferences are not included.
Decisions made about care and treatment do not comply with the Mental Health Act Code of Practice or other legislation.

Book a mock inspection run against the draft KLOEs, or call 020 8090 5346 to speak to one of our experts.