September’s Final Word from the CQC
The Caregraph looks at the final week of September’s CQC press releases and news updates, reflecting on earlier weeks to bring the month’s story together.
The Caregraph has previously examined the CQC’s press releases throughout September, including an analysis of the first week and a bi-weekly review covering updates up to the 27th. In this latest piece, we turn our attention to the final week of the month and take a wider look back at how September unfolded overall.
This review highlights the major trends across CQC-regulated activities, exploring which areas faced the most scrutiny, whether the tone of reporting leaned more positive or negative, and how the regulator’s communications compared with the stories reaching the public domain.
The Final Week of September Ended on a Notably Optimistic Note
Between 22 and 30 September, the CQC issued 11 press releases in total.
The overall tone leaned positive, reflecting a period where improvements and strong ratings outweighed enforcement actions. Most updates focused on hospitals and care homes, highlighting improvement journeys and sustained “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings across England
A Quick Recap of September CQC Media Releases
The data below illustrates how the CQC’s closing week of September reflected activity across different service types, showing a stronger presence of care homes alongside community and hospital updates.
| Service Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Care Homes | 4 | 36% |
| Supported Living | 2 | 18% |
| Hospitals | 3 | 27% |
| Local Authority | 2 | 18% |
Also in CQC News
Alongside the routine press releases, the CQC also published its annual report on the safe use of radiation in healthcare.
The CQC believes this increase “may indicate a stronger patient safety culture in medical exposure to ionising radiation,” suggesting greater transparency in how incidents are identified and reported rather than a decline in safety standards.
Comparison of Radiation Exposure Notifications (2023/24 vs 2024/25)
A Quick Recap of September CQC Media Releases
The table below summarises all CQC press releases across September, highlighting the balance between positive and enforcement-related outcomes each week.
| 📅Time Period | Total Releases | 🟢Positive | 🔴Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Sept 1–7) | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Weeks 2–3 (Sept 8–21) | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| Final Week (Sept 22–30) | 11 | 8 | 3 |
As per The Caregraph analysis, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) communicated a dynamic regulatory landscape throughout September 2025.
During the first week of the month, there was a precise balance between positive and negative tone. The media releases in weeks two and three were predominantly negative, reflecting a series of inspection findings and enforcement actions.
The final week of September concluded on a notably optimistic note across eleven releases, with several improvement stories and outstanding ratings contributing to a stronger closing tone.
September CQC Media Releases In A Nutshell (Tone Analysis)
Alongside the weekly press updates, two additional news items were published. One announced new appointments to the CQC executive team, and the other, discussed earlier in this article, reported on the safe use of radiation in healthcare settings.
The Caregraph View
We find it both important and exciting to follow the work of the regulator and recognise the effort that goes into monitoring, supporting, and, when necessary, prosecuting providers that fall short of expectations. The recent CQC prosecution of the Newton Abbot care provider, which we previously discussed in our editorial opinion, was a clear example of accountability in action.
While the CQC often faces criticism from within the sector, our ongoing analysis of its communication suggests a regulator that is doing its best within clear limitations and constrained resources. The pattern of press releases across September reflects an organisation striving to uphold standards, highlight improvement, and enforce compliance where needed.
Press releases alone may not capture the full nuance of the regulator’s work, yet they continue to present the CQC as a visible and active force in safeguarding public confidence in health and social care.
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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