Podcast – Practice Index – The New CQC Inspection Explained: What Every Practice Manager Needs to Know

Podcast – Practice Index – The New CQC Inspection Explained: What Every Practice Manager Needs to Know

July 13, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the new CQC inspection model and its implications for practice managers.

In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, we welcome back Robyn Clark and Ed Kennedy to discuss the new “return to good” inspections, how they differ from previous CQC visits, and why many practice managers feel these are now effectively practice manager inspections. Ed shares his first-hand experience of being among the first practices inspected under the new approach, while Robyn discusses the wider concerns being raised by practice managers across the country. Together they explore the benefits, challenges and practical steps practices can take to prepare, as well as the growing recognition of practice managers as leaders within the NHS. The new CQC inspection model explained (02:31) Ed’s experience of being one of the first practices inspected (04:27) Why these are becoming “practice manager inspections” (05:43) The benefits and limitations of the new approach (07:07) Can practices improve their CQC rating? (07:52) Why inspector consistency remains a major concern (11:45) The increasing pressure on practice managers (14:23) Practical advice to prepare for a CQC inspection (16:18) Key compliance areas…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Gowland

Guests: Robyn Clark, Ed Kennedy

Topics covered

Sponsors

Practice Index

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NHS, CQC

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