CQC registration

Any independent clinic in England providing a regulated activity, including most forms of private GP and specialist consultation, must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) before seeing patients.

Registration typically takes 12 to 16 weeks and requires a registered manager, a statement of purpose, policies covering safeguarding and clinical governance, and evidence of appropriate clinical record-keeping systems. It's worth starting the process early, since a practice cannot see patients until registration is granted.