PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Care Homes: Ownership (9 May 2023)

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England. As such it makes independent decisions about any enforcement action it takes against a provider.

A Notice of Decision is served and takes effect against a provider’s registration, for example, a care home. When a care home is taken over by a new provider any previous Notice of Decision would not pass to the new provider’s registration. However, when a new provider applies to register with the CQC, their application would be subject to a full assessment by the CQC. Not meeting the CQC’s fundamental standards could result in a new provider being issued with a Notice of Proposal seeking to refuse the application.

Where a provider is subject to ongoing enforcement action by CQC to cancel their registration, for example, a Notice of Proposal or Notice of Decision has been served but not yet taken effect, the provider is restricted from applying to cancel their own registration.