The CQC have a range of enforcement powers that they can use if they find that a service is not meeting essential standards of care. These enforcement powers include, but are not limited to, issuing warnings, imposing conditions on a service’s registration, and ultimately suspending or cancelling a service’s registration.
The CQC is overseen by a Board, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring that it is well run. The Board is made up of Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by the CQC’s Chief Executive.
The CQC is also accountable to Parliament through a range of mechanisms, including appearing before Parliamentary committees, being subject to Parliamentary scrutiny of its accounts, and responding to Parliamentary questions.
The CQC has a statutory duty to promote, protect and improve the safety and quality of health and social care services in England. This includes ensuring that people have access to safe and effective care that meets their individual needs, and that they are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.