A small survey of UK adviser firms has found mixed understanding of Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration when it comes to third party cancer support services offered alongside insurance products.
The research, commissioned by Reframe Cancer and conducted among 29 adviser firms, reported that 38% said they understood what CQC registration means in relation to clinically approved patient support. However, 41% said they did not know and 21% said they were unsure.
The CQC is the regulator of health and adult social care services in England, with powers covering registration and inspection activity.
Reframe Cancer said the issue has become more prominent following the publication of the National Cancer Plan for England on 4 February 2026.
Mark Stephenson, chief executive at Reframe Cancer, said: “It’s positive news that one in three UK adviser firms understand the importance of third party service providers being CQC registered. There is a clear limit to what can be achieved without clinically approved providers being regulated by the CQC and held to the highest standards, and it could impact the quality of care a client receives. In cancer care, delays cost lives, so if any nursing support or clinical expertise is outsourced that can take time, and with cancer every day counts. Crucially NHS and private treatment teams are more open to dialogue and engagement with CQC regulated businesses as they know they can discuss clinical matters. Additionally privacy and data collection are held to the highest standard, and teams are fully clinically trained so able to follow all recommended processes.
“It’s also vital that advisers understand the importance of CQC registration as it has probably never been more important given last week’s announcement of the National Cancer Plan by the NHS and UK government. Whilst the plan is a positive step forward, many of the targets and actions will take too long to implement. This means that when it comes to prevention and early detection, employers and insurers will have to step up and fill this void for some time to come.”
Joanna Streames, mortgage and protection adviser at Velvet Mortgage & Insure Services, added: “CQC registration gives credibility to the wellbeing services being offered. More importantly it makes policyholders aware of what they have included in the first place, so they remember to contact us when it might be useful to use the services they have access to.”
