CQC – inspection coverage

Although ratings for the sector are generally high, as indicated in the previous section, not all organisations have been rated by the CQC.

The proportion of independent sector locations without a rating grew in 2025. This situation will continue to worsen without prompt action by the CQC.

The chart below shows the number of organisations by category together with whether they have been rated by the CQC.

47% of independent healthcare organisation locations registered by the CQC have received a rating. This is considerably lower than in 2024 (60%), largely because the number of newly registered locations, especially independent consulting doctors, has grown at a rate that has outstripped the pace of CQC assessments. Currently around 55% of all unrated independent healthcare organisations are independent consulting doctors.

The need for reform is well documented in several national reports. The CQC now has a new board and executives and a published plan to address the shortfalls. We are working collaboratively with the CQC through the chief inspectors as they develop their approach to return to sector-specific assessment.