Independent review

Dash CQC Review

Review into the Operational Effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission

Completed

Professor Penny Dash · Published 15 October 2024 · Commissioned by DHSC Health & Social Care

Independent review examining the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission, including its single assessment framework, inspection rates, clinical expertise among inspectors, and IT systems. An interim report was published in July 2024 with 5 recommendations; the full report followed in October 2024.

Report Government response

Government Response

Dr Penny Dash's full report (15 October 2024) made 7 recommendations. On the same day the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, accepted the findings and recommendations in full; the CQC also accepted the findings. Actions included appointing Sir Julian Hartley as CQC Chief Executive, commissioning Professor Sir Mike Richards to review CQC's assessment frameworks, and asking Dr Dash to review the wider patient-safety landscape. A further government patient-safety statement followed in July 2025.

15 October 2024

Recommendations

Recommendation 1

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 1: rapidly improve operational performance, fix the provider portal and regulatory platform, improve use of data, and improve the timeliness and quality of reports

Recommendation 2

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 2: rebuild expertise within the organisation and relationships with providers in order to resurrect credibility

Recommendation 3

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 3: review the SAF and how it is implemented to make it fit for purpose

Recommendation 4

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 4: clarify how ratings are calculated and make the results more transparent, particularly where multi-year inspections and ratings have been used

Recommendation 5

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 5: continue to evolve and improve local authority assessments

Recommendation 6

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 6: pause ICS assessments

Recommendation 7

DHSC response_published

Recommendation 7: strengthen sponsorship arrangements to facilitate CQC's provision of accountable, efficient and effective services to the public

No recommendations with this response.