You have 10 working days from CQC's email to check a draft report for factual accuracy, correcting errors, showing where evidence was incomplete and sending exemplary practice that was in place at the time, each backed by evidence. The check is not a route to challenge a rating you disagree with, and after publication a rating process review is possible only if CQC did not follow its process.
What the factual accuracy check is
After quality checks, CQC sends the draft report to the registered person and asks you to check the factual accuracy and completeness of the information used to reach its judgements.1 Most providers review it online and comment against each section. Independent hospitals and independent single specialty services usually receive it by email with a Word form.2
The deadline is 10 working days from the date of the email, and CQC will not extend it unless the circumstances are exceptional.2 If there are no inaccuracies, confirm you have reviewed it so the report can be published.
What you can correct
| Type | Example | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| Typographical or numerical errors | A wrong job title or figure | The correction |
| Inaccurate information behind a judgement | A policy said to be missing that existed at the time | Evidence it existed at the time of the assessment |
| Omitted information | Examples of exemplary practice that were not considered | The evidence, and how it benefits people |
Everything you send must relate to the position at the time of the assessment. CQC's own example is a safety policy a member of staff wrongly said did not exist. If the provider proves the policy existed then, it counts towards the judgement, and a policy written afterwards is noted but does not change it.2
How to respond in 10 working days
- Day 1, read it end to end. Read the whole report before commenting. Note every factual error, gap and missing example.
- Day 2, sort into three piles. Errors, incomplete evidence and omitted good practice. Drop anything that is only disagreement.
- Days 3 to 6, gather the evidence. For each point, find dated evidence from the time of the assessment, such as a timed record, rather than a recollection.
- Days 7 and 8, write short comments. One point per comment, the fact, the evidence and where it is. The online form has a character limit.
- Day 9, approve. The registered person checks and approves the comments. Providers are responsible for this.
- Day 10, submit. Submit, with the evidence, before the deadline.
- Report section ______ Quality statement ______
- What the draft says ______
- What was true at the time of the assessment ______
- The evidence, dated ______ Attached as ______
What the factual accuracy check cannot be used for
- Challenging a rating or score only because you disagree with it.
- Complaining about how the assessment was carried out, which goes through CQC's separate complaints process.
- Making representations about proposed enforcement, which has its own process.
Another member of CQC's staff, independent of the assessment, reviews every factual accuracy response, and CQC may change draft ratings if the evidence they rest on was inaccurate or incomplete.34 After publication, a rating process review can be requested within 15 working days, but only on the ground that CQC did not follow its process.5
Questions
How long do I have to respond to a CQC draft report?
10 working days from the date of CQC's email. CQC will only extend this in exceptional circumstances, and you must tell it why in writing straight away.
Can improvements made after the inspection change the rating?
Usually not. You can tell CQC about action taken since, but unless circumstances are exceptional it will not form part of the final judgement.
What if I disagree with the rating itself?
The factual accuracy check is not for disagreement alone. After publication, a rating process review is possible only if CQC failed to follow its process.
Sources
- 1CQC, 2025Factual accuracy checkRead source
- 2CQC, 2025How to submit factual accuracy commentsRead source
- 3CQC, 2025How we'll respondRead source
- 4CQC, 2025Draft judgements and ratingsRead source
- 5CQC, 2025Rating process reviewRead source
Written by the wai team from Care Quality Commission guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. CQC does not endorse wai or any software.