Is Your GP Practice Ready for CQC’s Stricter BLS Training Requirements?

CQC compliant BLS training is now a key requirement for GP practices and care homes. If your team has relied on e-learning or first aid at work courses, you may be non-compliant. Recent CQC inspection reports have highlighted one of the most common pitfalls in primary care and care home settings: non-compliant BLS training. Too often, practices are caught out by relying on e-learning alone, assuming “first aid at work” courses are enough, or letting renewals slip.

What CQC Compliant BLS Training Involves

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 requires providers to ensure staff are competent, qualified, and appropriately trained for their role. In practice, that means:

Annual renewal of BLS training – no exceptions.
Face-to-face, practical assessment – online only is not acceptable.
Clinical-specific content – standard first aid courses aren’t sufficient.
Anaphylaxis management – mandatory for all healthcare staff.
Age-appropriate skills – child/infant BLS where services involve children.

These aren’t “nice to haves” – they’re written into the inspection framework, and CQC teams are tightening their focus on this area.

Common Myths (and Why They Don’t Wash at Inspection)

❌ “We’ve done first aid at work – that covers it.”
Not for clinical environments. FAAW/EFAW courses are workplace compliance courses, not clinical BLS.

❌ “We’ve bought an e-learning module – staff ticked the box.”
E-learning alone is non-compliant. You need observed, practical CPR/AED assessment.

❌ “We’ll sort it when we’re closer to inspection.”
Inspectors want evidence of annual renewal as routine practice, not a last-minute scramble.

What a CQC-Compliant BLS Course Looks Like

At Marches Group, Our Level 3 Clinical course is designed as fully CQC compliant BLS training for healthcare providers. They include:

Adult, child and infant CPR techniques.
AED use.
Recognition and management of anaphylaxis.
Competency-based practical assessments (so you can evidence staff competence).
Certification valid for 12 months.

Maximum group size is 12 to ensure quality and hands-on practice.

Why GP Practices and Care Homes Choose Marches Group for CQC Compliant BLS Training

Award-winning provider – First Aid Training Provider of the Year.
CQC registered – we work to the same standards you must meet.
Frontline experience – every trainer has at least 2 years’ hands-on emergency background.
Skills & Satisfaction Guarantee – if your staff aren’t confident, we’ll provide additional support at no cost.
Post-incident support – unique debrief service if your team ever have to use their skills.

Why Timely Renewal of CQC Compliant BLS Training Matters

It’s easy for annual training to slip when surgeries and care homes are busy, but delaying renewal can create serious risks. Not only could your team lose confidence in responding to a cardiac arrest, but inspectors are increasingly asking for evidence that staff have completed CQC compliant BLS training within the last 12 months.

One local GP practice recently told us they believed an online refresher was enough. At inspection, the CQC flagged this as non-compliant, and the practice was asked to evidence practical, face-to-face training immediately. We were able to step in, deliver a tailored session, and help them demonstrate compliance before re-inspection.

This is why planning ahead is so important. By scheduling annual CQC compliant BLS training now, you can be certain your records are up to date, your team is confident, and your practice won’t face unnecessary enforcement action.

Plan Ahead – Don’t Wait for the Inspector

Demand for clinical BLS training has tripled since CQC renewals became strictly enforced. We are already booking into early 2026, and many practices are now looking to lock in annual renewal dates well in advance.

If your renewal is due, or you’re unsure whether your current training is compliant, now is the time to act.

👉 Contact us today on 01568 605110 or email [email protected] to discuss your requirements and secure your preferred training dates.

Final Thought

The CQC isn’t trying to trip practices up. Their focus is ensuring that every patient in your care has the best chance of survival if the worst happens. Annual, hands-on BLS training is a small investment with a huge impact.

Don’t risk being caught out by assumptions or outdated training records. Book your compliant BLS course today — and give your team the skills and confidence to save a life.