CQC inspects Northern Care Alliance after report of delayed diagnosis and treatment for dozens of patients

A regulatory inspection has been launched after delays left dozens of patients waiting for diagnosis and treatment, including people with cancer, The Independent reported. ^[1]

The Care Quality Commission, the NHS’s care watchdog, opened an inspection of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, a Greater Manchester trust described as troubled in the report. ^[1] The inspection was launched on 2026-05-26. ^[1]

The move followed reporting that exposed delays in diagnosing and treating dozens of patients at the trust, including those with cancer. ^[1] In announcing the inspection, the report framed the watchdog action as a direct response to those revealed delays. ^[1]

The inspection marks the latest development in a story that culminated on 2026-05-26, when the watchdog began scrutinising the trust after the delays came to light. ^[1]