Health Research Authority response to Care Quality Commission assessment framework consultation

We have responded to the second stage of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Better regulation, better care consultation, which is focussed on proposals to introduce sector specific assessment frameworks.

The proposals aim to help the CQC improve how it assesses health and care services and makes judgements and help providers to better understand what the CQC looks at in an assessment.

In our response to the consultation, we highlight the importance of research in delivering high-quality care and that it should be seen as a business-as-usual activity, not a ‘nice to have’.

We outline how the research activity should be assessed and that research culture, activity and governance for good patient care should be reflected explicitly and consistently in the frameworks.

There is growing evidence that research active healthcare organisations achieve better outcomes and are associated with lower mortality rates and improved patient and carer experiences.

Building on our previous response, we also reiterated our willingness to support the CQC in defining clear research standards and assessment questions.

We responded to the first stage of the CQC consultation last year, which closed in December 2025. You can read our response on the HRA website.

Read our full response

Read our full response to second stage of the CQC better regulation, better care consultation below.

Question 1: Do you agree that the draft assessment framework(s) will support CQC to make clearer, more transparent judgements about quality?

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Question 2: Do you agree that the draft assessment framework for your sector will help providers to understand what CQC will look at in an assessment?

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Question 3: Do you agree that the draft assessment framework(s) will help CQC and providers to identify and address inequalities in care?

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Question 4:

We will retain our 5 key questions, I statements, and 4 levels of quality ratings. New elements include key lines of enquiry to replace the current quality statements. They have been framed as structured questions that describe what we will look for on our assessments.

Do you have any comments about the new key lines of enquiry (KLOEs)? For example, do they prioritise the aspects that are most important for delivering good quality care in the sector? Do any areas need a separate KLOE? Or can any KLOEs be combined?

(optional)

Please provide details, either overall observations or for specific KLOEs