RQIA Compliance Review Powers
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority ('RQIA') should review overall compliance and consideration should be given to granting it the power to prosecute in cases of serial non-compliance or serious and wilful deception.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedTraining protocols updated. Competency requirements incorporated into medical education and continuing professional development.
RQIA remit under review. Consideration being given to expanded oversight powers but prosecution powers not yet granted.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
RQIA's remit remains limited. Prosecution powers for serial non-compliance have not been granted. Fundamental regulatory reform requiring legislation has not occurred.
View detailed findings
Recommendation 8 called for RQIA to review overall compliance with duty of candour and be given power to prosecute serial non-compliance. RQIA's regulatory powers remain significantly more limited than CQC in England. RQIA has no regulatory role over inpatient mental health facilities, cannot make enforceable requirements for services it inspects but does not regulate, and has no inspection powers over community mental health services. An RQIA Partnership Agreement was published in July 2025 but fundamental reform requiring legislation has not occurred. Campaign groups continue to call for root and branch reform of RQIA.