CQC Press Release Roundup December 2025
December ended 2025 with a sharp contrast. We saw elite care for some but safety failures for others. We back the CQC calling out providers who put profit over people. Now we look to 2026 with hope. We are keen to see if the rise of AI can finally contribute to the better care we all deserve.
December 2025 was a significant month for the Care Quality Commission (CQC), marked by the publication of numerous Local Authority assessments under the Care Act, the celebration of innovative specialist services, and strict enforcement actions against providers failing to meet safety standards.
Local Authority Assurance
The CQC released a wave of reports evaluating how councils are meeting their duties under the Care Act (2014), revealing a divide in performance across England.
Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council were both rated Good, with inspectors praising Plymouth for its strong collaborative working and Torbay for its effective partnership with the voluntary sector which resolved over 80% of calls without needing statutory services.
However, significant challenges were identified elsewhere, as the London Borough of Newham, London Borough of Redbridge, Norfolk County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, City of York Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council were all rated Requires Improvement.
Nursing and Residential Homes
The residential care sector saw a mix of high praise for person-centred cultures and severe penalties for safety failures.
Milkwood Care Ltd was ordered to pay over £33,000 following a prosecution regarding Ganarew House Care Home, where a resident suffered serious injury after falling from a window that lacked compliant restrictors.
Conversely, Humberston House in Grimsby, Glentworth House in Hove, and Sackville Gardens in Brighton achieved Outstanding ratings for their exceptional, personalised care and innovative approaches to supporting residents with complex needs.
Several homes also managed to turn their performance around, with Forest Manor Care Home in Nottinghamshire, Alice House in Somerset, and Hepworth House in Bedford all being upgraded to Good and removed from special measures.
However, a significant number of facilities were downgraded to Inadequate and placed in special measures due to serious safety concerns. Cheybassa Lodge Rest Home in Hampshire was cited for leaders failing to grasp safety issues, while Clubworthy House in Cornwall was downgraded from Outstanding to Inadequate following reports of a closed culture and abusive behavior.
Other homes placed in special measures included King Street in Leicestershire, Fitzwilliam Care Centre in Lincolnshire, Garsewednack Residential Home in Cornwall, Kingswood House in Rotherham, St Thomas’ Priory in Staffordshire, Strode Park House in Kent, and Rowan Garth Care Home in Liverpool, with inspectors frequently citing poor medication management, understaffing, and a lack of dignity in care.
Domiciliary and Home Care Agencies
The quality of care delivered in people's own homes varied drastically this month. Azure Care Ltd in Medway was upgraded to Outstanding, with inspectors noting that staff went above and beyond to ensure safety and respect cultural preferences, such as accommodating specific prayer times.
In stark contrast, four agencies were rated Inadequate and placed in special measures: Horizon Care (South West) Ltd in Exeter, Dependable Care LLP in Sandwell, My Homecare in Reading and Bracknell, and Willow Home Care Ltd in Shropshire.
These agencies faced similar criticisms regarding missed or late calls, failure to report safeguarding concerns, and a lack of proper risk assessments for conditions such as diabetes or seizures.
Additionally, Burrow Down Community Support, a supported living service in Devon, was downgraded to Inadequate due to a closed culture where privileges were used to control behavior.
Hospitals, Maternity, and Specialist Services
In the hospital sector, the South Central Ambulance Service showed progress with its emergency operations upgraded to Good, though medicine management remained a concern.
Maternity care was a major focus, with the National Maternity Survey revealing improvements in mental health support but persistent issues regarding women being left alone during labour. Inspection reports reflected this mixed picture; Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust received an Outstanding rating for its perinatal mental health services, while Queen’s Hospital in Romford saw its maternity rating improved to Good.
Conversely, the Royal Sussex County Hospital had its maternity rating upgraded to Requires Improvement but faced continued challenges with its urgent and emergency care, which was rated Inadequate for safety.
Specialist services provided some of the month's highest achievements. The Great Britain Cycling Team Medical Facility was rated Outstanding for its world-class support of athletes, and Tom Harrison House in Liverpool was rated Outstanding for its unique veteran-focused addiction recovery program. Similarly, Ark House in North Yorkshire was upgraded to Outstanding for substance misuse rehabilitation, and the Marie Curie Hospice and Community Services Midlands Region retained its Outstanding rating.
However, St Andrews Healthcare Northampton remains Inadequate and in special measures following reports of a closed culture and inappropriate use of restraint, and the sexual health service Solutions 4 Health Newcastle was also rated Inadequate.
Primary Care: GP Practices
General Practice showed strong performance, with several surgeries achieving the highest possible accolades. Binscombe Medical Centre in Surrey and The Village Green Surgery in North Tyneside were both rated Outstanding for a second time, recognized for their deep community integration and responsiveness.
Castle Healthcare Practice in Nottingham was upgraded to Outstanding, praised for its proactive vaccination campaigns and strong leadership. Furthermore, Faircross Health Centre in Barking successfully exited special measures and was rated Good, with inspectors commending its new safety culture and community outreach efforts.
The Caregraph View
December showed us two different realities. We saw world-class support for elite athletes and veterans. That is inspiring. But quality care cannot be reserved for the few. Everyone has contributed to our society and we all deserve to be safe.
It is worrying to see providers where profit seems to come before people. That is why the CQC is right to take strict action. Calling out failure hits the business model and stops new clients joining unsafe services. It is a harsh lesson but a necessary one. Care must always be the bottom line.
As we close the door on 2025, we look forward to 2026 with hope. This year could be significant. We are seeing the widespread rise of AI and we are keen to see how it contributes to improving care. Let’s see if new technology can help deliver the safety and dignity we all deserve.
Disclaimer: The Caregraph does not seek to criticise the Care Quality Commission. Our analysis of press releases and news is intended to highlight what the regulator is communicating, including where information may appear inconsistent. The aim is to give the public a clearer understanding of these announcements and to encourage transparency, not to challenge or undermine the regulator’s role.
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