The CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
It assesses health organisations on five quality domains, asking whether they are:
- Safe
- Effective
- Caring
- Responsive
- Well-led
It also carries out a ‘use of resources’ inspection to assess how well trusts manage these.
After the inspection, the CQC provides a report to the Trust with its findings and service ratings. The Trust will have an overall CQC rating, as well as individual hospital ratings.