The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has just released its 2023–24 Annual Report and Accounts, offering a clear view into its current priorities and where regulation is heading. As health and social care providers navigate growing demand, staffing pressures, and increasing scrutiny, the report offers essential insight into how the CQC is evolving, and more importantly, what providers must do to adapt.
You can view the full CQC Annual Report here: CQC Annual Report and Accounts 2023–2024 cqc.org.uk
🔍 Key Themes from the 2023–24 Report
- Tackling Health Inequalities
The CQC reaffirms a strong focus on fairness and equity. The report highlights persistent disparities in access, experience, and outcomes – particularly for people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those in deprived areas.
- Provider implications: You must demonstrate how your service promotes equality, actively listening to underrepresented voices and adapting care accordingly.
- System Regulation: ICSs Under the Spotlight
2023–24 marks the CQC’s first full year inspecting Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). The report reflects a shift from evaluating individual organisations to assessing whole-system performance – emphasising how services collaborate across local systems.
- Provider implications: Your performance will be judged on both your quality and your collaborative effectiveness with ICS partners.
- Data-Driven, Intelligence-Led Regulation
A move toward continuous, data-informed monitoring is now central to the CQC’s strategy. Real-time staffing patterns, service user feedback, and performance data increasingly inform inspections under the Single Assessment Framework.
- Provider implications: Be consistently inspection-ready, not just on one day—your daily operations matter.
- Rebuilding Trust and Transparency
As we all know the CQC has faced its own issues in the last year with the Dr Penny Dash, Professor Sir Mike Richards, and Peter Gill reports demonstrating significant concerns in the operations of the CQC. Following this, the CQC is focused on rebuilding provider and public trust. The annual report outlines internal reforms to its staffing, IT systems, and organisational culture.
- Provider implications: Increased likelihood of inspection as the CQC work towards previous inspection run rates. Providers should place a strong emphasis on openness, accurate self-reporting, and transparency within their quality management systems.
How Care 4 Quality Can Help You Meet These Priorities
We’re already working with services across England to respond to the very focus areas highlighted in the CQC report. Our specialist support includes:
• CQC-Style Audits & SAF Readiness – Simulate the latest assessment model to stay consistently prepared and confident.
• Equality & Inclusion Reviews – Review how well your service promotes access, fairness, and representation.
• Policy & Documentation Reviews – Make sure your governance is aligned with current CQC standards.
• Action Planning & Leadership Support – Turn feedback into focused improvement with coaching and tailored guidance.
• Ongoing Compliance Support – Get expert input when you need it, whether you’re preparing for change or managing day-to-day quality.
Final Thoughts
The CQC’s 2023–24 Annual Report confirms what providers have been sensing – regulation is raising the bar. But this isn’t just a challenge – it’s a chance to showcase outstanding care, every day.
Care 4 Quality is here to help you meet – and exceed – these new expectations, turning regulatory demands into opportunities for growth.
Ready to begin?
Book your compliance review or CQC-style audit today and embark on a path to long-term quality assurance.
