Private GP news round-up: October 2026

Six changes from the last three months matter to private GPs in the UK. DBS check fees fall on 5 October, new employment law duties arrive in October, and the CQC has set out how it is rebuilding its assessment approach. The CQC has also brought healthcare at events into registration and reminded providers about learning disability and autism training. In Wales, HIW has warned about unregistered independent providers. Each item links to the primary source.

DBS check fees fall from 5 October 2026

On 9 September the Disclosure and Barring Service announced lower fees from Monday 5 October 2026. An enhanced check, which most clinical and front-desk roles in a GP service need, falls from £49.50 to £41. Basic and standard checks fall from £21.50 to £20, and the Update Service falls from £16 to £15 a year. Checks for volunteers stay free. DBS asked registered bodies to update their systems and customer-facing information before 5 October. Umbrella bodies may add their own admin charge on top.

DBS covers England and Wales. Services in Scotland and Northern Ireland use Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI. Our guide to getting DBS checks for your private practice has the new fees and which check each role needs.

New employment law duties: 1 and 30 October 2026

Two parts of the Employment Rights Act 2025 affect any private GP service that employs staff. Since 1 October 2026, people have 6 months to bring most Employment Tribunal claims, up from 3 months. In Scotland, the change for breach of contract claims takes effect on 9 November 2026. From 30 October 2026, employers must take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. They must also not permit third parties, such as customers and clients, to harass their employees.

For a GP service, third parties include patients, so it's a good time to update your harassment policy, staff training and how reception escalates abusive behaviour. The harassment measures apply in England, Wales and Scotland but not in Northern Ireland. See our guide to employment law when hiring staff.

CQC: new frameworks piloted, rebuild funded

On 27 August the CQC said its Board had approved plans to rebuild its regulatory approach and digital services. The plans include a new provider portal, new sector-specific assessment frameworks, guidance and methods, and more consistent assessment and registration processes. The CQC tested and piloted the draft frameworks across all sectors over the summer. In June it said the pilots would run from June to October 2026 with a final evaluation in November, and that pilot judgements have no legal standing. It plans sector-specific engagement with providers this autumn. It also reported more than 9,646 assessments completed, against a target of 9,000 by the end of September.

The CQC has not yet published a final date for using the new frameworks, so private GP services in England are still assessed under the current single assessment framework. Our explainer on fundamental standards and quality statements covers what applies now. On 14 September the government appointed Baroness Julia Neuberger as the CQC's new Chair. Emily Miles is the new Chief Executive.

CQC registration now covers healthcare at events

The government has changed the law so that healthcare or treatment at an event can fall within the regulated activity of treatment of disease, disorder or injury (TDDI). On 27 August the CQC published its guidance, and applications have been open since 7 September 2026. The CQC advises providers to apply between 7 September 2026 and 1 March 2027. Its monitoring, inspection and enforcement under the new rules begin on 6 December 2027. Providers that are already registered for TDDI should review their statement of purpose and update it if they provide services at events.

This matters if your service provides medical cover at sporting or cultural events in England. Check the CQC's guidance to see whether it covers what you do. Our guide on CQC registration for different services explains regulated activities.

Learning disability and autism training is a CQC requirement

On 14 September, a year after the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice was published, the CQC reminded providers that staff training on learning disability and autism is a regulatory requirement for every service that carries out a CQC-regulated activity. It said uptake of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training varies across the country, with "many larger organisations, NHS trusts and primary care providers still with much to do to ensure staff are trained". CQC registration teams now check this when they assess an application to register.

If you are registered, check that your training records show who has completed suitable training and when. If you are applying, expect the CQC to ask about it.

Wales: HIW flags unregistered independent providers

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales published its 2025–2026 annual report on 24 September. It notes continued growth in independent healthcare, including private healthcare, medical agencies and weight management. It also raises concerns about unregistered providers and unsafe practice. On 2 October, HIW said it had cautioned a Cardiff provider under the Care Standards Act 2000 for providing laser treatments without registration. Under the Act, running an unregistered independent healthcare service is a criminal offence. HIW advises anyone who is unsure whether they need to register to submit a registration query form.

Private GP services in Wales register with HIW, not the CQC. Our guide on whether you need to register covers all four UK nations.