Prior to being notified, our preparation relied on our experience of peer reviews, regional network support and the five pilot CQC assessments. We constantly adapted our approach and amended our self-assessment with each new nugget of information.

CQC assessment gave a new dimension to continuous improvement, with an added incentive to get our ‘house' in order. That meant making sure our strategies and policies were up to date, that our leadership team were clear on assurance in areas such as waiting lists, data and areas of inequality and making sure audit and reflective supervision was consistently used to evidence improvements in practice.