1. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a non-departmental public body. It is responsible for the registration, review and inspection of health and adult social care services and monitors the operation of the Mental Health Act in England. The CQC was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and came into existence on 1 October 2008 with the appointment of board members and a Chief Executive. As a non-departmental public body, the CQC is accountable to the Secretary of State for discharging its functions, duties and powers effectively, efficiently and economically.
2. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England and also protects the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act. Whether services are provided by the NHS, local authorities or by independent sector organisations, the CQC registers providers against a national criteria of essential standards.
3. For the first six months of its existence the CQC shadowed its predecessor organisations, the Healthcare Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection, and the Mental Health Act Commission. The CQC became fully functional, merging the responsibilities of these bodies, on 1 April 2009.