The Care Quality Commission (Additional Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The Explanatory Memorandum states that the statutory function is no longer required because the National Guardian’s Office (NGO), which performed these tasks, closed permanently on 30 June 2026.

The department reports that the change follows a 2025 review of patient safety which recommended that Freedom to Speak Up responsibilities be incorporated directly into NHS providers and commissioners rather than being hosted by the Care Quality Commission.

The government asserts that some of the previous functions will be aligned with NHS England’s existing staff voice functions, ensuring that the objective of encouraging a positive reporting culture continues through different channels.

Proponents argue that the amendment is a necessary administrative step to update the law to reflect the current organizational structure of the health service.

Legal observers may note that the removal of a specific statutory function for training and support could be perceived as reducing the formal oversight of whistleblowing protections within the NHS.

Staff advocacy groups might express concern that incorporating these responsibilities into providers and commissioners, as mentioned in the Explanatory Memorandum, could lead to a conflict of interest compared to an independent office within the CQC.

Critics may question whether the alignment of these tasks with NHS England’s functions will provide the same level of dedicated resource previously offered by the National Guardian’s Office.