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What we do

We promote continual improvement in England's healthcare services, focussing on what matters to the public. We do this by assessing NHS and independent healthcare services, identifying where improvement is needed and investigating any serious problems. We publish our findings, making the information as accessible as possible, to help everyone make informed decisions about their healthcare.

  • Our aims

    Our strategic goals, examples of how we have been achieving them, our statutory role

  • Assessing healthcare

    Assessing NHS services, assessing independent (private or voluntary) services, checking treatments are used safely

  • Investigating major problems

    Current investigations, completed investigations, interventions, our criteria for investigating or intervening

  • Working with Government

    How we work with the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales

  • Our work in Wales

    Our responsibilities in relation to healthcare services in Wales

  • Our future role

    Our role after 1 April 2009, when the new Care Quality Commission becomes the regulator of health and social care in England

  • Corporate publications

    Annual reports, corporate plans, Strategic Plan 2005–2008, public information leaflets

  • Reports on healthcare

    Reviews and studies of different areas of healthcare, our annual State of Healthcare report