P2-28 Response Accepted AI-assessed

CQC guidance on hospice inspection scope

Recommendation

To avoid confusion over its remit, the Care Quality Commission should issue clear guidance to inspectors (and others) that hospice inspections should not include areas where deceased people are kept, other than to focus on the needs of bereaved relatives.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to available information, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was reviewing its inspection guidance for hospices to clarify that inspections should not include areas where deceased people are kept, beyond focusing on bereaved relatives' needs. According to the government's formal response, this action followed the government's acceptance of the recommendation in December 2025. According to available information, no updated CQC guidance has been identified as published.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, questions-statements.parliament.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted CQC
01 Dec 2025

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a rapid update to reiterate to inspectors the limits of their regulation in relation to mortuaries, and a further update via its internal bulletin to inspectors. CQC is currently working on revising guidance to inspectors.

Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Dec 2025

Accepted in full. CQC issued a rapid update to reiterate to inspectors the limits of their regulation in relation to mortuaries, and a further update through its internal bulletin to inspectors. CQC is currently working on revising guidance to inspectors. (Source: Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, December 2025)

Source
Inquiry Fuller Inquiry
Report Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report 15 Jul 2025
View Source
Responsible Bodies
CQC Primary
Themes & Tags
Quality and safety oversight Patient dignity and privacy Hospices Inspection Deceased CQC
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 01 Dec 2025