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As we step into 2026, the health and social care sector begins the year with renewed energy, optimism and a clear sense of purpose. Happy New Year to everyone working tirelessly to support people, families and communities across England.
In 2026 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues to be at the heart of quality and safety in health and adult social care. After a period of reflection, rebuilding and consultation, there are key developments on the horizon that providers, commissioners and stakeholders should be aware of.
Over 2025 and into 2026, the CQC has been working on a major improvement plan designed to overhaul its regulatory processes and restore confidence in how care standards are measured and reported. This work includes a complete redesign of its regulatory process with pilots and tests of new assessment approaches supported by updated technology.
This transformation aims to make regulation more proportionate, reliable and reflective of modern care delivery. It also seeks to strengthen how providers interact with the regulator, including improvements to the online provider portal and registration services.
Care Quality Commission
A highlight for 2026 will be the rollout of a new assessment framework. Following consultations and pilots in 2025, the CQC is planning to publish its final framework in summer 2026, with phased implementation towards the end of the year. This framework is intended to be simpler for providers to navigate, aligned to risk and reflective of the quality outcomes that matter to people using services.
Providers should prepare now by familiarising themselves with emerging guidance, ensuring internal assurance processes are aligned to the proposed changes and engaging in stakeholder consultations where possible.
Another area of focus in 2026 is the rebuild of confidence in CQC inspection ratings and outcomes. Part of this effort includes tackling backlogs in assessments, restoring regular inspection cycles and improving how evidence is captured and analysed by digital systems.
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This work is intended to ensure that ratings are timely, accurate and trusted by commissioners, providers, people using services and families.
The CQC’s long-term commitments emphasise tackling inequality in access, experience and outcomes across health and social care. Its equality objectives for 2025–29 remain central to regulatory practice, reinforcing the importance of equity in care quality, workforce inclusion and stakeholder engagement.
Care Quality Commission
There is also a broader shift towards safety through learning, which encourages transparent reporting, shared improvement insights and collaboration across systems to prevent avoidable harm.
For health and social care leaders 2026 will be a year of transition and opportunity. The key themes include:
As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of 2026, the shared goal remains clear; to deliver safe, effective, compassionate care for everyone who needs it. The CQC’s evolving regulatory landscape reflects a commitment to continuous improvement, partnership with providers and stronger accountability across the system.
Here’s to a year of progress, partnership and quality care improvements that make a real difference.
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