CQC and Ofsted news and insights, page 5
CQC and Ofsted compliance, explained
Advice, news and video on regulatory change and best practice for health and social care providers.
Articles, page 5
- Advice
NHS Dentistry – Why Are More Patients Turning to Private Care, and What Does it Mean For Providers?
The reality on the ground Across the UK, access to NHS dentistry is no longer just “challenging”, in many areas, it’s effectively unavailable. Reports of patients queuing for hours simply to register with an NHS dentist are becoming increasingly common. In some regions, patients are calling dozens of practices without success. For many, the only
- Advice
Do I Need a Registered Manager Before Applying for CQC Registration?
A common question for new providers is whether a Registered Manager must be in place before submitting a CQC registration application. In most cases, the answer is yes. The Registered Manager is a central figure within any CQC-regulated service. They are responsible for the day-to-day delivery of care, oversight of staff, and ensuring that the
- News
Employment Tribunal Awards & Statutory Payments Increase from April 2026. What Do Health & Social Care Providers Need to Know?
From April 2026, a number of key employment law thresholds and statutory payments will increase. While these updates apply across all sectors, they carry particular operational and financial implications for health and social care providers, where workforce size, turnover, and employment risk exposure tend to be higher. At HLTH Compliance, we are already advising providers
- Advice
New Data Protection Complaints Rules Are Coming. What Do Health & Social Care Providers Need to Know?
From 19th June 2026, the final provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will come into force, bringing a significant shift in how organisations must handle complaints about personal data. For health and social care providers, this is not just an administrative update. Given the volume and sensitivity of patient data handled across services
- News
Is the Single Assessment Framework on the Way Out? Are KLOEs Making a Comeback?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has just released a significant regulatory update that may signal one of the most notable shifts in inspection methodology since the introduction of the Single Assessment Framework (SAF) in 2024. For providers who have spent the past two years embedding quality statements, this latest development raises an important, and slightly
- Advice
What Documents Are Required for a CQC Registration Application?
Preparing the correct documentation is one of the most important parts of the CQC registration process. While there is no single prescribed checklist issued by the regulator, there are clear expectations around the type, structure and quality of information that must support your application. At its core, your documentation must demonstrate that your service is
- Advice
How Do I Register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)?
Registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a mandatory requirement for any provider delivering regulated health or social care services in England. Whether you are setting up a domiciliary care agency, clinic, GP practice or supported living service, the registration process requires detailed preparation and a clear understanding of regulatory expectations. At a basic
- News
ICB Clusters and Mergers: What Primary Care Providers Need to Know
At HLTH Compliance, we support hundreds of primary care providers across the country with governance, CQC compliance and quality assurance. As the NHS continues to evolve at pace, one of the most significant system-level changes currently underway is the restructuring of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). These changes will directly impact how services are commissioned, how
- Advice
CQC Compliance and HR: Are You Ready for an Inspection?
When the Care Quality Commission (CQC) arrives to inspect your service, it’s not just care delivery under review, your HR systems are firmly in scope too. Behind every safe, effective and well-led service is a workforce that has been robustly recruited, appropriately trained and consistently supported. Much of what inspectors assess is underpinned by the
- News
Adult Social Care in England: Key Insights from the Latest DHSC Statistics (February 2026)
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its latest Adult Social Care Provider Statistics for England, covering data up to February 2026. These official statistics provide valuable insight into the current state of the adult social care sector, including care home occupancy, domiciliary care activity, workforce trends, vaccination rates, visiting arrangements, and
- News
CQC Publishes New Research on Good Practice in Dementia Care
On 10 March 2026, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a new research report exploring good practice in supporting people living with dementia across health and social care services. The research forms part of the CQC’s wider dementia strategy and was commissioned from IFF Research in partnership with Leeds Beckett University. The report reviews best
- Advice
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage Increases: What Employers Need to Know for April 2026
From 1 April 2026, new statutory pay rates will come into effect across the UK, increasing both the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW). These annual updates are an important compliance requirement for employers and will have direct implications for payroll, workforce planning, and financial forecasting in the 2026/27 financial year.
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