CQC Press Release Roundup January 2026

The CQC press releases of the first month of 2026 presented a starkly polarized landscape. Through its news publications, the CQC has broadcasted a sector operating at two distinct speeds. On one side, the headlines have been dominated by alarming "closed cultures" and neglect, triggering immediate enforcement. On the other, the regulator has used its press releases to champion "Outstanding" innovation and culturally sensitive care.

Care Homes Caught Between Isolation and Innovation

Seven homes faced public enforcement action for severe safety failures. According to the regulator’s news alerts, The Limes Care Home, Iceni House, and The Vale Residential Care Home were downgraded for disturbing environments where staff restrained, ignored, or silenced residents. Further press releases detailed how The White House and Bearwardcote Hall Residential Home failed on basic safety, citing dehydration risks and damp conditions. Drumconner Lancing Care Home was rated Inadequate for operating dangerously over capacity, while Woodfield Care Home was flagged for security failures that allowed a resident to leave unnoticed.

Conversely, the CQC used its platform to champion six homes that achieved Outstanding ratings through personalization. Langdale House and SignHealth Longley Road excelled in cultural support and communication access. Hatzfeld House and Avondale House were praised for effective rehabilitation and safety planning, while Tixover House was noted for using technology to connect residents with their heritage. Eliot Gardens was highlighted for its environmental vision and promotion of independence. Finally, the regulator’s news cycle showed that recovery is possible, as St Georges Court Care Home successfully exited special measures to achieve a Good rating.

Home Care and Supported Living Facing a Gap in Basic Safety

CQC press releases regarding community care highlighted three providers placed in special measures for fundamental safety breaches, while two others achieved Outstanding ratings.

Failures in Oversight

The CQC’s public alerts painted a grim picture of management failures. Allfor Care Croydon was rated Inadequate after inspectors found a pattern of missed visits that left people without food, water, or medication. Three C’s Support was also placed in special measures due to "extremely poor oversight" which resulted in financial abuse and residents being trapped in their home for eight months because of a broken lift. Finally, Premier Care Limited was downgraded to Inadequate for unclean conditions and a reported culture of bullying under previous management.

Innovation in Care

In contrast, the regulator used its platform to showcase how home care can transform lives. Bluebird Care Oxford was upgraded to Outstanding and praised for preventing hospital admissions through creative hydration solutions like "jelly drops"—sweets made of 95% water. Leaf Somerset also achieved an Outstanding rating for encouraging "positive risk-taking" that allowed people to safely enjoy holidays and community activities, moving far beyond the "basic safety" found in failing services.

Turnarounds and Excellence in Primary Care

The public likely heard more positive news about General Practice in January 2026. The CQC’s press communications were defined by successful recoveries and sustained excellence. No practices were downgraded in the news this month. Instead, the regulator focused on two specific services that exited special measures.

Both Sutton Road Surgery in Birmingham and Uni-City Medical Centre in Portsmouth successfully upgraded from Inadequate to Good. According to the CQC, both practices were praised for transforming their internal cultures and leadership to ensure patient safety was no longer at risk.

The Mill Medical Practice retained its Outstanding rating. The regulator highlighted staff going "above and beyond" for their community, such as a team member who fixed a patient’s heating during a home visit to ensure they could stay safe and warm. West Rainton Surgery was also upgraded to Outstanding. The CQC used its press release to specifically praise the practice for breaking down barriers and improving health checks for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community.

Local Authorities Struggle Under Systemic Strain

The CQC’s new assessment of Local Authority Care Act responsibilities has revealed widespread challenges. Of the six councils featured in the January press communications, only one successfully met the standard of "Good."

Struggling with Demand

The regulator's news reports for the London Borough of Bromley, Sheffield City Council, Cumberland Council, Walsall Council, and West Northamptonshire Council all carried a rating of Requires Improvement. The public messaging focused on recurring themes of systemic pressure. This included long waiting lists for assessments, disjointed transitions between children's and adult services, and significant difficulties for residents trying to contact social care teams by phone.

A Digital Success

In a month of difficult news for local government, Peterborough City Council stood alone with a Good rating. The CQC used its press release to commend the council’s forward-thinking approach, specifically highlighting its use of AI tools like the "Hey Geraldine" chatbot to support residents and its strong early intervention services that prevent care needs from escalating.

Maternity Improvements vs. Systemic Pressure in Hospitals and Mental Health

In January 2026, the media presented a mixed picture of maternity services showing resilience, while mental health trusts struggled with capacity and culture.

Maternity and Acute Care

Maternity services showed an encouraging upward trend. The CQC used its press releases to highlight how University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and Harrogate District Hospital both improved to Good, reflecting years of hard work to improve safety. However, the news was not all positive. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust remained Inadequate due to severe staffing shortages that put mothers at risk.

In urgent care, the public heard about overcrowding and safety risks at Macclesfield District General Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, which were both rated Requires Improvement. In contrast, The Hillingdon Hospital saw its surgery department improve to Good, even though its urgent care services remain under intense pressure.

Mental Health Challenges

NHS mental health trusts faced significant hurdles this month. The regulator rated leadership at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as Requires Improvement, noting a disconnect between senior leaders and frontline staff. Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was also rated Requires Improvement, with the CQC highlighting a shocking average wait time of 599 days for some therapy sessions. Furthermore, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust saw its child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) wards downgraded to Requires Improvement due to safety concerns.

Specialised Success

While larger trusts struggled, smaller independent providers often bucked the trend. Castle Lodge Independent Hospital and Acquiesce Ltd were both praised for their personalized care. Most notably, Demelza, Hospice Care for Children was rated Outstanding for the second time. The CQC used its platform to champion Demelza as a model of compassion, particularly for how they support siblings and allow children a voice in their own care.

The Caregraph View

At The Caregraph, we have noticed a puzzling trend in the CQC’s communications. While the regulator aims to provide an honest and accurate picture of the sector, the news remains heavily weighted toward care homes.

Our monthly analysis shows that a disproportionate amount of news stories focus on residential settings. This happens even though the number of home care providers in England is growing rapidly and the total number of people receiving care at home now exceeds those living in care homes. There is a clear reason for this focus. Because care home residents live together under one roof, the impact of a "closed culture" or a safety failure is often larger and more visible to the public.