Who we check

Most independent healthcare providers must be registered with us by law, so that we can make sure that they are meeting the Government's minimum national standards. The types of organisation this applies to include:

• Hospitals
• Private doctors
• Hospices
• Maternity units
• Services that provide mental health care and treatment
• Services that terminate pregnancies
• Kidney dialysis or endoscopy services
• Clinics that offer cosmetic surgery
• Clinics that offer cosmetic procedures that involve lasers or intense pulsed lights

Checking the quality and safety of services

Each year all of the independent healthcare providers that are registered with us must send us a comprehensive assessment of how well they are complying with the Government's national minimum standards.

Using the evidence they provide, we pinpoint any organisations that we think are at risk of not meeting the standards and inspect them.

If we have serious concerns, we investigate whether the provider has committed an offence under the regulations governing independent healthcare. We can take action to protect patients and the public.