The DoH said ensuring patients are safe when they are in hospitals and care homes and that they are cared for with ‘dignity and respect’ is an ‘absolute priority’ for the government.
The review will focus on the CQC’s performance and capability, with the findings published in the new year.
A DoH spokesperson said: ‘It is essential that the health and care regulator, the CQC, is performing to the highest possible standards.
'We are currently carrying out a review of the CQC's performance and capability to ensure that it is doing the best it can to protect patients.'
A CQC spokesman said the review is part of a series of reviews into all arms-length bodies.
He said: ‘This capacity review was announced on 22 September by [DoH permanent secretary] Una O'Brien as part of her evidence to the Mid Staffs review.
‘News of this was announced on CQC’s intranet and chief executive’s message, and the DoH also wrote to and spoke to a range of CQC’s stakeholders.’
