Free CQC review template · Quarterly
Complaints handling review
A free 7-point review for every type of CQC-registered service. It evidences the CQC quality statement “Listening to and involving people” under the Responsive key question (Reg 16, 17), as people's experience. Built from Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Answer each check below and download a PDF report, or print a blank form.
Checks
- People know how to complain, in formats they can use
- Every complaint recorded, including verbal ones
- Acknowledged promptly and the person kept updated
- Response explains what happened, what was found and what will change
- Final response gives Ombudsman details
- Learning from complaints shared and acted on
- Staff know the procedure and feel supported
Official sources
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: NHS Complaint Standards
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: Model complaint handling procedure
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: Model complaint handling procedure
This checklist summarises the official guidance. Check the sources for the full requirements.
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Templates summarise official guidance as of October 2026. They do not replace it: always check the linked source for the full requirements. Audit Angel CQC is not affiliated with the Care Quality Commission.
Know your gaps before the inspector does.
Set-up takes ten minutes. Start with example evidence for your type of service, run your first audit, then replace the examples with your own.