Working in partnership with other organisations

The working relationship between the CQC and the HTA is part of the maintenance of a regulatory system for health and adult social care in England that promotes patient safety and high-quality care.

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. The HTA is a regulator of the removal, storage and use of human tissue for a wide range of purposes, including within healthcare. Both parties share a concern for the quality and safety of health and care services and recognise, through this MoU, that close cooperation by sharing information relating to organisations regulated by both parties is beneficial in supporting this.

The CQC and HTA intend that their working relationship be characterised by the following principle of sharing information about issues likely or potentially to be of mutual concern about matters pertaining to the respective remits of the two parties.

Some services registered with the CQC also hold one or more HTA licences for a range of different activities. This will be the focus for CQC and HTA engagement, sharing knowledge and information and working together collaboratively as appropriate. Any mutual engagement will be underpinned by a shared commitment to:

• The need to make decisions that promote people’s safety and high-quality health and social care;
• Promote the rights of individuals;
• Respect the independence of each party;
• Maintain public and professional confidence in the two parties and the regulatory process;
• Openness and transparency between the two parties as to when cooperation is and is not considered necessary and/or appropriate;
• The need to use resources effectively and efficiently; and
• Address intersections in the regulatory framework, including gaps and overlaps.