The regulatory landscape for primary care is undergoing its biggest transformation in over a decade.
In July 2025, a government-commissioned review led by Dr Penny Dash called for sweeping changes to NHS safety oversight. Central to this was a recommendation to restructure or merge the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with other bodies — including NHS England and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body — to create a more effective, less fragmented approach to regulation.
This comes after several high-profile failings across maternity care and residential homes, where oversight mechanisms did not intervene early enough to prevent harm. The government has accepted the review in principle, signalling an urgent need for all providers to adapt.
What’s Changing?
The key proposals include:
- Streamlining regulation by reducing duplication between organisations
- Reforming how services are inspected and rated
- Greater use of digital tools and AI to monitor safety in real time
- Clearer accountability and less administrative burden for providers
- A move away from box-ticking towards impact-focused inspections
Read the full coverage in The Times
What It Means for GP Practices
General practice is not exempt from this shift. While inspections have always focused on the five key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led), there’s now a greater emphasis on access, digital readiness, and proactive risk management.
Whether or not the CQC merges, the trajectory is clear: practices must be equipped to demonstrate transparency, safety, and accountability—at all times, not just during inspection windows.
How PCMS Supports Practices
At PCMS, we work directly with GP surgeries to strengthen the systems, processes, and governance that underpin CQC success , long before an inspector walks through the door.
Our support includes:
✅ Audit and readiness assessments aligned to the latest CQC frameworks
✅ Policy and SOP development tailored to your clinical and admin environment
✅ Training and capacity-building for staff on governance and quality improvement
✅ Mock inspections and action plans to close gaps early
✅ Data and documentation tools that help you evidence what you do well
We’re not just consultants , we’re operational partners who understand the day-to-day reality of general practice. We work alongside you to build resilience, improve patient experience, and align your service with the CQC’s evolving expectations.
Focused on Practical Outcomes
We know that regulation can feel like a moving target. That’s why our approach is rooted in clarity, consistency, and compliance without the jargon.
You won’t get generic toolkits from us. You’ll get tailored support that reflects your practice’s context, systems, patient population, and workforce.
Ready to Prepare for What’s Next?
As the CQC adapts, so must we all. PCMS is here to help you stay prepared, confident, and compliant -now and into the future.
📩 Visit www.pcmsolutions.co.uk to learn more
📞 Or contact us directly to arrange a readiness review info@pcmsolutions.co.uk
Change is coming. But with the right support, your practice will not just meet the new standards — it will lead.