Focused CQC Assessments Are Back: A Practical Checklist for GP Practices and Independent Clinics

Inspection activity is picking up, and "we haven't heard from the CQC in years" is no longer a safe place to be. If your last report is more than a couple of years old, you may already be on the list.

What is happening right now

Three developments are worth knowing this month. First, the CQC's "Returning to Good and Outstanding" programme — running since March 2026 — is carrying out focused assessments of lower-risk NHS GP practices rated good or outstanding whose last inspection report was published between 2017 and 2022. Second, the regulator is increasing its focus on the independent sector, reflecting emerging risk and the growing volume of NHS-commissioned work that independent providers now deliver. Third, the new assessment approach is in a structured pilot from June to October 2026, running alongside existing inspections rather than replacing them, with final evaluation due in November.

The practical upshot is simple: the current single assessment framework still applies, and assessments are happening now. Preparation cannot wait for the new framework to go live.

The inspection-ready checklist

Work through these against the five key questions — Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

1. Statement of Purpose matches reality. Registered activities, locations and named individuals are all current.
2. Policies are in date and consistent. No two documents contradict each other; each shows a review date and an owner.
3. Risk assessments are live. Fire, infection prevention, safeguarding and premises reviews completed within the last twelve months.
4. Recruitment and training files are complete. DBS checks, professional registrations, indemnity and mandatory training all evidenced.
5. Clinical governance has a heartbeat. An audit cycle, incident log, complaints log and demonstrable learning you can actually show.
6. Patient voice is captured. Feedback collected, reviewed and acted on — with examples.

Where practices slip

It is rarely the clinical care that lets a service down. It is the evidence that proves it — a risk assessment last touched two years ago, a policy pack that no longer reflects how the team works, a Statement of Purpose that drifted out of date after a service change. Inspectors read that as a Well-led problem, and Well-led shapes the whole assessment.

Start where it counts

If you only have time for two areas this month, make them Safe and Well-led. They are where most focused assessments concentrate, and getting them right lifts everything else.

If you would like the full checklist mapped to each key question and evidence category, or a mock inspection tailored to your setting, Barker & Scott can help. Explore our compliance support at barker-scott.co.uk.