Date: 14 Dec 2025

ASPC Response to the CQC Consultation on the Assessment, Inspection, Reporting and Ratings Framework 

The Association of Surgeons in Primary care (ASPC) welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) consultation, as this consultation marks an important moment as CQC rebuilds their methods of working in order to get back on track and deliver effective regulation.  

We want to start by acknowledging the effort that has gone into recognising what went wrong previously, including learning from the Dash, Richards and Care Provider Alliance reviews. This consultation sets out an intention to evolve and improve the assessment of health and care providers, and we support that objective, while also wishing to highlight significant concerns that must be addressed if the new framework is to be credible, consistent and fair.   The changes proposed to the assessment framework, sector-specific frameworks, rating characteristics, and more precise supporting questions, reflect some of the strengths of the previous KLOEs. However, some of the previous ways of working required fundamental change, and it is essential that this opportunity is not missed.

The ASPC sees this consultation as a vital opportunity for the CQC to rebuild trust, improve equity, and ensure that regulation is fair, transparent and proportionate. We strongly encourage the CQC to incorporate the concerns and solutions outlined above.

For our full reply please click on the document's name below:

ASPC-Working-Alone-Statement.pdf