Prepare against the 15 indicators in RQIA's 2026 to 2027 provider guidance for private doctor services, grouped under four questions, is care safe, effective and compassionate, and is the service well led. Expect an announced visit at least once a year, conversations with your manager and staff, and a review of care records, incidents, complaints and policies.1
How RQIA inspects a private doctor service
RQIA inspects every private doctor service at least annually. Inspections are most likely to be announced, though RQIA may arrive unannounced in response to concerns. Inspectors seek the views of patients, talk to management and staff, examine records including care records, incidents, complaints and policies, and give feedback on the outcome on the day.1
Inspections rest on the 2003 Order, the Independent Health Care Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005, the fees and frequency regulations as amended, and the Department of Health's Minimum Care Standards for Healthcare Establishments of July 2014.12
What inspectors look for under each domain
| Domain | Indicators | Examples of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Is care safe? | S1 to S4 | Each doctor's GMC registration, indemnity, appraisal and responsible officer, AccessNI checks, safeguarding leads, emergency medicines, infection control, risk register |
| Is care effective? | E1 to E3 | Clinical records, a treatment plan with costs and options, ICO registration, a records audit with an action plan, a patient register, communication with the patient's GP |
| Is care compassionate? | C1 to C3 | A consent policy in line with GMC guidance, confidentiality, plain English information with costs, interpreters, an annual patient satisfaction survey |
| Is the service well led? | L1 to L5 | Regulation 26 monitoring visits, policies reviewed every three years, complaints records, statutory notifications, a medical advisory committee, practising privileges |
- Check every doctor's file. GMC registration, indemnity, qualifications, continuing development, appraisal, responsible officer and revalidation, each with a record retained.
- Audit a sample of clinical records. RQIA expects a system for auditing the completion of clinical records and an action plan for what the audit finds.
- Bring the patient register up to date. Keep it in line with Schedule 3 Part II of the 2005 Regulations.
- Run the patient survey. At least once a year, with a summary report shared with patients and an action plan.
- Review complaints and incidents. Each complaint recorded with communications, investigation, outcome and action, and every notifiable incident reported to RQIA.
- Check last year's areas for improvement. Each will be assessed as met or not met, so have the evidence for each one ready.
- Indicator ______ Owner ______
- Examples of evidence RQIA lists ______
- Where our evidence is kept ______
- Last checked on ______
- Gap and action ______
How the report reads
Where appropriate, a quality improvement plan lists the areas requiring improvement, and where there are none the report says so.1 A February 2026 report, for example, states that the inspection resulted in no areas for improvement being identified.3 The guide to RQIA areas for improvement and the quality improvement plan covers what to do when there are. Clinics in England can compare the CQC hub for England.
Questions
How often does RQIA inspect a private doctor service?
At least once a year. Most inspections are announced, and RQIA may inspect unannounced in response to concerns.
Does RQIA check doctors' appraisals?
Yes. The provider guidance expects evidence of each doctor's GMC registration, indemnity, appraisal, responsible officer and revalidation, and a review of the full appraisal before practising privileges are granted or renewed.
Do we need a medical advisory committee?
RQIA's private doctor guidance includes a medical advisory committee under the well led domain, meeting at least quarterly and reviewing incidents, complaints and other clinical events.
Sources
- 1RQIA, 2026RQIA Provider Guidance 2026-2027, Independent Clinic, Private Doctor ServiceRead source
- 2Department of Health, 2014Minimum Care Standards for Independent Healthcare Establishments, July 2014Read source
- 3RQIA, 2026Inspection Report, Rossconnor Clinic Derry, 23 February 2026Read source
Written by the wai team from Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. RQIA does not endorse wai or any software.