This consultation is about our proposals to evolve and improve our approach to assessing and rating health and care providers.
The consultation closes at 5pm on 11 December.
It sets out:
- how we propose to develop our frameworks and guidance for assessing providers
- how we propose to change our methods for inspecting, assessing and awarding ratings to health and care services.
Our proposals include:
- Describing our expectations of quality for all our rating levels
- Providing a clearer view of quality and safety for the sectors that we regulate
- Making our assessment frameworks simpler and clearer
- Simplifying our rating approach and strengthening the role of professional judgement
- Reviewing and clarifying our approach to following up assessments and updating rating judgements
- Potential changes to our approach to rating NHS trusts and independent hospitals
Read our proposals in our consultation document
How to respond
We welcome responses from members of the public and providers, their representatives, and other stakeholders. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 11 December 2025. To take part in the consultation, read our consultation document and give your views using our online form.
Get involved
Alongside this public consultation, we are engaging on proposed changes to the current assessment framework. The aim is to simplify and streamline the framework to be more specific and relevant to the health and care sectors that we regulate.
We are also asking people to get involved in supporting the design of our technology and use of data. We’d like to hear from health and care providers, the public and other interested stakeholders.