19th March 2020

Routine inspections suspended in response to coronavirus outbreak

Routine inspections suspended in response to coronavirus outbreak

We have written to all registered health and social care providers about how we are adapting our regulatory approach in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The letters, sent to providers today, expand on an update we sent on 4 March. The changes they describe include:

  • stopping routine inspections from today
  • a shift towards other, remote methods to give assurance of safety and quality of care
  • some inspection activity in a small number of cases, for example where there are allegations of abuse
  • giving extra support to registered managers in adult social care

We have sent two versions of the letter – one to adult social care providers and one to healthcare providers. You can read the full text here. READ FULL NOTICE ON THE CQC WEBSITE