Established practice
If the CQC called tomorrow, would you be ready?
Inspection readiness is an everyday habit, not a last-minute scramble. Here is how to get there and stay there.
Is this you? Tap any that are true.
Most people reading this tick at least one.
It only takes one to cost you.
- steps
- 6
- steps
- to start
- 1 to 2 hours
- to start
- scorecard
- Free
- scorecard
The short answer
First confirm whether your practice needs its own CQC registration: consultants who only see patients inside a registered hospital are usually covered by the hospital, but your own rooms usually are not. If you are registered, run a gap check against the CQC assessment framework, bring key policies up to date, keep evidence monthly in one place and do a mock inspection each year.
What good looks like
Where you stand, before and after
CQC readiness
- Gap check done · policies current
- Evidence kept monthly · annual mock inspection
Illustrative sample, not a real person or result.
6 steps
Do it yourself: step by step
0 of 6 done
Check the CQC regulated activities guidance. List where the consultant sees patients and what they do there. If any is outside a registered hospital, for example your own consulting rooms, check that your registration covers each regulated activity at each location
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours
- Typical cost
- Free
- Who does it
- Practice manager
Done when: You have a written note of what is registered, where, and who the registered manager is
This problem is Solvable.
Copy this checklist
CQC readiness gap check
Free to copy, adapt and use. No sign-up.
CQC readiness gap check
Rate each: Strong (evidence ready), Weak (exists but out of date or patchy), Missing.
Registration
- Registration covers every regulated activity we provide
- Every location is on our registration
- Registered manager in post and notified to CQC
- Statement of purpose current
Safe
| Evidence | Rating | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safeguarding policy and named lead, staff trained at right level | |||
| Infection prevention and control policy and last audit | |||
| Incident log and learning recorded | |||
| Equipment servicing and calibration records | |||
| Recruitment files: references, right to work, DBS, training | |||
| Chaperone policy and trained chaperones | |||
| Business continuity plan |
Effective
| Evidence | Rating | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consent policy and record audit | |||
| Staff training matrix up to date | |||
| Consultant appraisal and revalidation evidence |
Caring and responsive
| Evidence | Rating | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient feedback collected and acted on | |||
| Complaints policy, log and quarterly review | |||
| Accessible information and reasonable adjustments |
Well-led
| Evidence | Rating | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governance meeting notes, at least quarterly | |||
| Risk register | |||
| Information governance: ICO registration, privacy notice, data security | |||
| Policies with review dates and staff sign-off |
Monthly evidence routine
- Add this month's audits, incidents, complaints and feedback to the evidence folder.
- Update the training matrix.
- Check any policy due for review.
- Note actions in the governance log.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Assuming the hospital's registration covers work done in your own rooms.
- Buying a policy pack and never adapting it to how the practice really works.
- Policies with no review date and no evidence staff have read them.
- Keeping evidence only in the practice manager's head or inbox.
- Treating readiness as a project before an inspection rather than a monthly habit.
Free tools
Check where you stand
Benchmarks
5 key questions
CQC assesses whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led
Source: CQC assessment framework
Quality statements being replaced
In March 2026 CQC published draft sector frameworks that keep the five key questions, replace quality statements with key lines of enquiry and propose removing scoring. No go-live date had been announced when checked on 4 November 2026
Source: CQC
£800 to £2,500
Cost of a one-day mock inspection from a compliance supplier for a small practice (Solvable estimate: about a day of a reviewer's time plus a written report, not a published rate)
Solvable estimate
Paul Robinson
14 years in UK private healthcare
I'll introduce you to someone who solves this for practice managers
Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.
No sales call unless you ask for one. Just a straight answer from me.
I reply personally, usually the same day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do we need our own CQC registration?
If the consultant only sees patients within a CQC-registered hospital under practising privileges, usually not. If you provide regulated activities in your own rooms, usually yes. CQC has a narrow exception for doctors working from a surgery or consulting room who are on a medical performers list, or employed by or holding practising privileges with a designated body. Check CQC's guidance on medical practitioners working independently and ask CQC if unsure. This applies in England. Scotland (HIS), Wales (HIW) and Northern Ireland (RQIA) regulate separately. This is general information, not legal advice; if your position is unclear, ask CQC or a healthcare regulatory solicitor.
What will an inspector actually look at?
Policies, but more importantly evidence they are followed: audits, staff files, training, incidents, complaints and what you learned from them. They will also speak to staff.
Who is responsible?
The organisation or person registered with CQC, and the registered manager. In practice the practice manager often does the work, but the registered manager must know it.
How often should we review policies?
At least yearly, and whenever the law, guidance or the way you work changes.
Is a mock inspection worth paying for?
Usually, if you have never been inspected or your last inspection was some years ago. A peer review can work if the reviewer knows CQC well.
Not sure whether you need CQC registration at all?
See: You're not sure whether your private practice needs CQC registration
Already rated Requires Improvement?
See: Your CQC rating is Requires Improvement and you need a clear plan
Last reviewed:
Sources
The Solvable community
You're not the only one with this problem.
One problem solved every week, on WhatsApp.
One message a week. No sales messages. Reply STOP any time.