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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have a wide range of civil and criminal enforcement powers, including the cancellation of registration, which are outlined within the CQC’s enforcement policy. The CQC can utilise these powers against registered providers and managers within the health and adult social care sectors who are in breach of the fundamental standards; a condition of their registration; or any associated legislation. The CQC also have the power to take enforcement action against individuals or companies who are providing regulated activities without registration, contrary to contrary to Section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Our specialist lawyers have extensive experience of successfully defending health and social care providers nationwide against enforcement action by the CQC. Our lawyers have helped providers to successfully challenge proposals to cancel registration, negotiate suitable appeal settlements with the CQC, and persuade the CQC to take no further action in criminal investigations.
If you have received an enforcement notice from the CQC, contact one of our specialist CQC lawyers now for a confidential discussion on 0161 696 6250 or complete our online enquiry form.
The CQC’s civil enforcement powers include:
The CQC’s criminal enforcement powers include:
It is vital that care providers act quickly once they receive any enforcement action from the CQC, especially a notice of proposal or a notice of decision to cancel registration. There are often quite tight timescales in which they can respond to or challenge CQC enforcement action and it is therefore extremely important that they use this time wisely. Any challenges made must be robust and supported with clear documentary evidence. Providers must also ensure that they fully engage with the CQC throughout this process, and ensure that any deadlines set are strictly complied to. A failure to do so could put their business and reputation at risk and lead to severe financial consequences, especially where cancellation of registration is pursued.
If you have received a CQC notice of proposal or notice of decision, you should seek specialist legal advice in order to protect your interests and safeguard your registration. We can advise you on the legal implications of this enforcement action and what action you should take. Where appropriate, we will seek to conclude matters as soon as possible, either through the submission of detailed written representations and evidence to the CQC on your behalf or by providing robust and specialist representation at a CQC appeal hearing.
If you are facing a CQC criminal prosecution or the cancellation of your registration, we will advise you on the appropriate defence strategy and provide effective representation. For a confidential discussion with one of our specialist CQC lawyers, please contact us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form.
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The CQC has a wide range of criminal enforcement powers which include the power to prosecute and issue fixed penalty notices or simple cautions to organisations and individuals. These powers are, however, limited to registered providers and certain...
Between 2023 and 2024, it is reported that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has undertaken four prosecutions of businesses carrying out regulated activities without CQC registration. The list of prosecutions undertaken by the CQC since 2009 can be found...
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