Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and adult social care services in England, including those provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or, voluntary organisations. It also protects the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

The CQC makes sure that essential standards of quality and safety are being met where care is provided, from hospitals to private care homes. It has a wide range of enforcement powers to take action on behalf of people who use services if services are unacceptably poor.

The CQC’s purpose is to make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high quality care and encourage care services to improve. Read more about CQC’s role and values.