An update on how CQC is improving to deliver good regulation
Delivering more assessments
In last month's update we shared the targets for the numbers of assessments we're aiming to complete by September 2026.
We shared these so we can be clear what we consider to be the minimum level of performance for us, and so that the public, providers and stakeholders can hold us to account.
As at 11 August 2025 , the number of completed assessments was 2,108. This keeps us on track to meet our target of publishing reports for 9,000 assessments between April 2025 and September 2026.
Making sure we carry out enough assessments to provide an up-to-date view of quality across health and social care is key to delivering our purpose. We know we need to complete more assessm ents, and we will carry on working to improve so that we can meet the targets we have set.
Working in partnership
Central to our improvement is ensuring that our assessment approach is fit for purpose. Following recent external reviews of our approach, we have been working to develop the changes needed so we can improve.
This work will only be successful if it's delivered through genuine partnership by working with the public, providers and stakeholders.
Over the last 2 months, we've been engaging through a series of events and workshops to help us develop proposals for how our approach will change. This includes sessions focused on:
- the number of quality statements in our framework
- making our frameworks sector specific
- how we make judgements and keep them up to date.
This engagement has helped shape options for changes to our approach. You can read more about these engagement sessions, what we heard from attendees, and the next steps in a new blog from Chris Day, Director of Engagement.
We'll continue working in partnership to develop the proposals, with engagement continuing across 2025, including a consultation this autumn.
Our aim is to deliver an assessment approach that is simpler, more effective and is trusted by the public, providers and stakeholders.
Strengthening our leadership
Alongside changes to our assessment approach, we are also working to ensure we have the right sector-based expertise in place, starting with 4 new permanent chief inspectors.
Our chief inspectors will lead assessment teams that are refocused around areas of sector expertise. This will make sure that our regulatory approach meets the needs of those sectors, working in partnership with providers, the public, and stakeholders.
Professor Bola Owolabi, Chief Inspector of Primary and Community Services, and Dr Arun Chopra, Chief Inspector of Mental Health, are already in post . You can read more about their focus in recent blogs . In September, Dr Toli Onon, Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Chris Badger, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, will join the team.
We are also strengthening our leadership expertise in other areas by recruiting for a permanent Chief Digital, Data and Registration Officer and an Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services. Additionally, we have made new appointments to our Board, who bring a wealth of expertise from a range of sectors.