CQC publishes anti-racism research and position statement

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published new research alongside an anti-racism position statement, setting out how it intends to strengthen its approach to tackling racism within the organisation and through its role as England’s independent regulator of health and social care. The research and statement were published on 24 June 2026.

The research represents the first phase of CQC’s work to become an anti-racist organisation. It explored how colleagues, people who use services and healthcare providers understand and experience racism and anti-racism, while also examining how CQC’s own systems, processes and culture either support or limit progress. The work was informed by people with lived experience, provider organisations, and voluntary and community sector representatives.

Key findings

The research found that:

• Inequalities continue to affect people’s experiences of health and social care, with racism identified as one factor contributing to unequal experiences and outcomes.
• Some of CQC’s internal processes, including recruitment and career progression, are not yet effectively supporting anti-racism.
• While anti-racism learning is valued, it is not yet consistently embedded into day-to-day practice.
• Gaps in data collection and analysis make it more difficult to identify inequalities and measure progress over time.
• The research also identified a strong willingness across the organisation to support further improvement. (Care Quality Commission)

What the position statement says

Alongside the research, CQC has published a position statement outlining how it intends to embed anti-racism across all areas of its work.

According to the regulator, the findings will help inform the ongoing development of its assessment approach so that equality, human rights and anti-racism are reflected more consistently when assessing the quality and safety of care. The statement also commits CQC to identifying and acting on racism across its regulatory functions and as an employer.

CQC also confirmed it is working with the NHS Race and Health Observatory and other health and care regulators to support workforce race equity using evidence, insight and regulatory intelligence.

Why this matters for providers

Although the publication does not introduce new regulatory requirements for providers, it provides insight into how CQC intends to further develop its regulatory approach over time.

Healthcare and social care organisations may wish to monitor future updates as CQC continues incorporating equality, human rights and anti-racism considerations into its assessment framework.

Further reading

For those wishing to explore the publications in full:

• CQC research: How can the Care Quality Commission become an anti-racist organisation?
• CQC anti-racism position statement
• CQC news announcement

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