CQC Press Release & News Recap of Sept 2025 1st Week

In the first week of September 2025, CQC published 10 press releases. Five highlighted positive ratings, while the other five drew attention to inadequate services and enforcement action. Alongside these reports the regulator also announced two significant leadership appointments.

Latest Local Authority Ratings From CQC Press Releases

Last week we published our analysis of council inspections up to 31 August, and we found that the majority of council reports so far had been rated good. In the latest set of press releases, three councils were featured. Two of them received continued good ratings, while one was rated as requires improvement.

Outstanding Week For GP Practices

For GP practices, this week’s coverage was a reminder that excellence is still being recognised, even as pressures mount across the system. There were only two press releases concerning GP surgeries, and both highlighted outstanding ratings.

A Split Picture Of The Care Homes

Four press releases this week focused on care homes and only one told a positive story. The Caregraph analysis of CQC press releases from both July and August showed a pattern of negative coverage and the beginning of September appears to continue that trend. Out of four care home press releases, three highlighted inadequate ratings and enforcement action while only one, the story of Deangate Care Home in Barnsley, celebrated an outstanding rating.

A Lonely Negative Picture Of Home Care

Only one home care agency appeared in the press releases this week and the news was negative. Qualified Care Ltd in Dover was rated inadequate and placed into special measures. The story of this domiciliary care service being placed into special measures after people were put at serious risk of harm due to unsafe staffing and poor leadership was also covered by BBC and Kent Live.

Leadership Appointments

Alongside the press releases, CQC announced two senior appointments. Esther Provins became Chief Digital, Data and Registration Officer, leading on digital strategy, registration and data insight. Chris Usher was named Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, overseeing governance, finance and compliance.

Taken together, these appointments are more than internal reshuffles. They send a clear message that the regulator is investing in digital transformation and organisational strength at a time when its own performance is under scrutiny.

The Caregraph View

Overseeing the care sector is a difficult task. The actions of regulators, government and authorities are constantly scrutinised and often criticised, sometimes out of frustration. At Caregraph we believe the CQC carries immense responsibilities and is working hard to maintain a balance in what it communicates. To an extent, the negative tone of many press releases is understandable. When failures in care are identified the regulator has a duty to share them, even though these are the stories that should never have happened.

We have now finished the first week of September. The coming weeks will show whether this balance of positive and negative stories continues or if new trends begin to emerge.