Guide
CQC regulated activities explained
What each CQC regulated activity means in plain English, and what a clinic's registered activities tell you about what it can do.
Last reviewed 23 September 2026. Written by the CQC Clinics team. This is general information, not medical or legal advice.
Every clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission is registered for one or more regulated activities. These are the types of care the provider is legally allowed to carry out at that location. Every clinic page on CQC Clinics lists them in plain English, alongside CQC's official term.
Regulated activities are broad legal categories. They tell you what kind of care a clinic can provide, not which specific treatments it offers. That's why we show our own patient-friendly categories, such as ADHD or dermatology, separately.
Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
What we show: "Assesses and treats health conditions".
The most common regulated activity. It covers assessing, diagnosing and treating physical and mental health conditions, for example by a doctor, or in some cases by a nurse or other professional. Almost every doctor-led clinic is registered for it.
Diagnostic and screening procedures
What we show: "Carries out tests, scans or screening".
Covers tests and scans such as X-rays, MRI, CT, ultrasound (including pregnancy scans), endoscopy, and some blood and other laboratory tests. Clinics registered only for this activity are usually scan or test clinics.
Surgical procedures
What we show: "Carries out surgical procedures".
Covers surgery, from major operations in hospital to minor procedures in a clinic, such as removing skin lesions, vasectomy, circumcision or tongue-tie division. If a clinic offers any surgical treatment, check it's registered for this activity.
Transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely
What we show: "Gives medical advice or triage remotely, for example by phone or video".
Covers giving medical advice or triage by phone, video or online, for example online GP services. We mark clinics registered for remote advice with Remote consultations.
Services in slimming clinics
What we show: "Provides medical weight-loss services".
Covers clinics where a doctor provides advice or treatment, including prescribing medicines, to help people lose weight. See medical weight management clinics.
Family planning services
Covers contraception services, such as fitting coils or implants, and some fertility-related care.
Maternity and midwifery services
Covers care during pregnancy, birth and after birth, including by independent midwives.
Termination of pregnancies
Covers abortion services. Providers must be approved by the Secretary of State as well as registered with CQC. See sexual health and contraception clinics.
Other regulated activities
The remaining activities mostly apply to hospitals and care services: assessment or medical treatment for people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983; accommodation for people who need treatment for substance misuse; accommodation for people who need nursing or personal care; nursing care; personal care; and management of the supply of blood and blood-derived products.
How common is each activity?
See how many of the clinics we list are registered for each activity in our data on private clinics in England.