Dr Richard Dune

02-08-2025

Image by AndersonPiza via Envato Elements

How real-time data, AI, and regulatory compliance software are transforming CQC inspections, and what providers must do to prepare for digital oversight

A bold new AI-powered inspection model promises to reshape how the Care Quality Commission responds to risk. Is this the turning point for health and social care regulation?

On 30 June 2025, the UK government announced the launch of a world-first AI early warning system. This transformative initiative will scan NHS data in real time to identify patient safety concerns and trigger rapid response inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Part of the government's wider 10-Year Health Plan, this technology-driven model is embedded within the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) and aims to catch early signals of harm, such as spikes in stillbirths, preventable deaths, or clinical incidents, before they escalate.

In this blog, Dr Richard Dune highlights that this development marks a significant shift toward proactive, intelligence-driven oversight of health and social care services. The implications for regulatory compliance, governance systems, and workforce training are enormous. At MTG, where we support thousands of providers with accredited training courses, compliance tools, and digital learning solutions, we see this as a clear signal. The future of healthcare regulation is real-time, data-led, and digitally enabled.

What went wrong - A legacy of missed warnings

The NHS has weathered a series of scandals, from Mid Staffordshire, which saw over 1,200 avoidable deaths, to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where systemic failure led to unimaginable loss. In 2023 alone, multiple NHS maternity units came under fire, with families accusing providers of gaslighting them when they raised concerns. 

Despite well-documented policies and procedures, the same failures persist: data not acted upon, concerns ignored, and oversight delayed.

The Dash Review (2024) highlighted how CQC reinspection times had soared, leaving providers rated 'Inadequate' to wait over four months for a revisit. Combine that with IT failures that delayed hundreds of inspection reports, and it becomes clear: our regulatory response is not fit for a fast-paced, data-driven health system.

Analogue oversight in a digital age

Despite the scale of the NHS, over 1.3 million staff, thousands of sites, and countless daily care episodes, much of our regulation still relies on manual inspections, whistleblowing, and scheduled visits. This reactive model leaves dangerous blind spots in care.

Even Rapid Response Inspections, introduced in recent years, still depend on external signals. What’s been missing is the ability to detect risk from within, from patterns buried deep in patient records, staff incident reports, or diagnostic trends.

In an age of digital compliance systems, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and Training Management Systems (TMS), it's time for regulation to catch up.

Introducing the NHS AI early warning system

Under the Plan for Change, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will deploy a national AI-powered safety alert system, capable of:

• Analysing real-time data from NHS organisations
• Identifying anomalies (e.g. stillbirths, brain injuries, or abuse patterns)
• Flagging concerns to the CQC immediately
• Triggering unannounced inspections
• Informing regulatory action before harm escalates

The first application, the Maternity Outcomes Signal System, is scheduled to go live in November 2025. It will monitor data across all NHS trusts for spikes in stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and neurological injuries.

This is the first system of its kind globally. If successful, it will expand to cover broader safety incidents, transforming how risk is detected and managed.

Redefining CQC’s inspection model

The CQC’s regulatory model will now operate on two parallel tracks:

Table 1 - Inspection type and purpose of the new CQC inspection model

As part of the plan, the CQC will be given enhanced legal powers, including:

• Authority to terminate contracts of persistently poor-performing providers
• Removal of outdated time limits on enforcement
• Absorbing bodies like HSSIB to reduce regulatory fragmentation

This new model is not just about inspection but about embedding digital surveillance into the governance infrastructure of every NHS provider.

Real-time data, real accountability

What sets this system apart is its use of the NHS Federated Data Platform, a unified architecture that pulls together:

• Clinical outcomes
• Incident reports
• Staff feedback
• Patient complaints
• Safeguarding alerts.

The goal? To provide a 360° view of compliance risk.

For health and social care providers, this has huge implications:

• Your workforce development plans, mandatory training compliance, and audit trails will be under closer scrutiny.
• Tools like digital policy libraries, document repositories, and automated training reports will no longer be optional, they’ll be essential for demonstrating ongoing regulatory compliance.
• The integration of training records, supervision logs, and risk management systems will help ensure you’re ready for real-time oversight, not just planned inspections.

Bridging the “Implementation gap”

Despite years of investigations, a core problem remains: knowing what’s wrong doesn’t always lead to fixing it. This so-called "implementation gap" continues to plague the NHS.

For this AI system to succeed:

• Alerts must be timely, accurate, and clearly actionable
• Inspection teams must be resourced and responsive
• Providers must receive support, not just penalties
• Actions taken must be tracked, evaluated, and shared across the system.

Sir Julian Hartley, CEO of the CQC, has committed to a “clearer, simpler assessment framework,” promising faster inspection cycles and more transparent feedback.

However, this will only succeed if backed by:

• Stronger digital compliance systems
• Clear training pathways
• Investment in statutory and mandatory training
• A culture of learning, not just auditing.

AI must not silence the human voice

The Plan for Change also commits to strengthening Freedom to Speak Up. CQC will now assess not only whether providers have these systems, but eventually whether Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) do too.

In a world of automated alerts and data streams, we mustn’t lose the human signal. AI should amplify, not replace, the voices of staff and patients.

At MTG, we advocate for embedding compassionate governance into all compliance systems, from staff supervision protocols to incident learning modules. Real safety emerges when data meets empathy.

Caution from the clinical frontline

While innovation is welcomed, it must be matched by staffing, resources, and time. As Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary, said:

“The guaranteed way to improve care is to raise staffing levels… Technology can help, but it must never replace safe nurse-to-patient ratios.”

Daniel Elkeles, CEO of NHS Providers, added:

“Trusts need space to learn and improve. Regulation must be collaborative, not combative.”

This is where platforms like ComplyPlus™ come in, enabling organisations to:

• Track and act on performance in real time
• Centralise policy and training documents
• Conduct internal audits aligned with CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) and Single Assessment Frameworks.

Global first, local readiness

England may be the first to trial AI-enabled regulation, but success will depend on how well local providers adapt. Are your systems ready?

Ask yourself:

• Do you have a centralised system for all compliance documents?
• Can you generate training compliance reports instantly?
• Are your teams trained to respond to real-time inspection triggers?

If not, now’s the time to future-proof.

Final thoughts - From tragedy to transformation

Every missed alert. Every inspection delay. Every repeat failure has a human cost.

This new AI-led model could:

• Prevent harm before it happens
• Rebuild public trust
• Modernise our approach to safety, compliance, and governance.

But it will only work if paired with:

• Effective compliance software
• Continuous training
• Culture change across the system

At The Mandatory Training Group, we support organisations with the tools, knowledge, and systems they need to thrive in this new era of data-driven regulation.

Ready for AI-driven regulation?

To help health and social care providers meet these evolving demands, we’ve developed ComplyPlus™, our all-in-one regulatory compliance management system.

ComplyPlus™ supports:

• Real-time audit readiness
• Workforce training tracking
• Automated evidence gathering
• Policy version control
• CQC framework alignment.

Explore the ComplyPlus™ suite:

• ComplyPlus™ E-Learning Courses (CPD-accredited online courses)
• ComplyPlus™ Compliance Centre - Live dashboards, inspection readiness
• ComplyPlus™ LMS - Sector-specific learning management system
• ComplyPlus™ TMS - Internal training tracking & CPD audits
• ComplyPlus™ Policies & Procedures - Fully editable & CQC/Ofsted-ready
• ComplyPlus™ Legal - Contracts, employment docs, and HR templates.

With AI reshaping regulation, your systems must evolve too.

Stay connected

For more updates on CQC inspections, regulatory reform, training compliance, and digital transformation in health and social care, follow The Mandatory Training Group.

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