Every practice manager remembers their first CQC inspection. The good news is that inspectors ask for broadly the same evidence every time. Have these twelve ready and the day becomes a conversation rather than a scramble.
Safe
Safeguarding policy with named leads and evidence of Level 2 training for the whole team. Infection prevention and control audit (six-monthly) with autoclave and washer-disinfector logs. Radiation protection file including local rules, QA audits and the IR(ME)R employer's procedures. Emergency drugs and equipment checklists with expiry monitoring. Recruitment files with DBS, right-to-work, professional registration and indemnity checks.
Effective
Training matrix showing mandatory CPD by staff member. Clinical audits — record keeping, radiography, antimicrobial prescribing — with action plans. Consent policy and evidence of how it is applied.
Caring and responsive
Patient feedback and what changed as a result. Complaints log with responses, timescales and learning. Accessibility and reasonable-adjustments policy.
Well-led
Governance meeting minutes, risk register and the practice's policy index with review dates.
Building the folder
Create a single index that maps each document to a quality statement, review it quarterly, and nominate a compliance lead to keep it alive. Our CQC Inspection Readiness course includes the full 90-point checklist and a ready-made evidence index.
