Most people are getting good, safe care but future quality is precarious
From the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published The state of health care and adult social care in England 2016/17. This annual assessment of health and social care in England looks at the trends, highlights examples of good and outstanding care, and identifies factors that maintain high-quality care.
This year’s State of Care has shown that the quality of health and social care has been maintained despite some very real challenges. Most people are receiving good, safe care and many services that were previously rated as inadequate have recognised the CQC’s inspection findings, made the necessary changes and improved.
The fact that quality has been maintained in the toughest climate most can remember is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff and leaders. However, as the system continues to struggle with increasingly complex demand, access and cost, future quality is precarious.
Key findings
- Health and care services are at full stretch
- Care providers are under pressure and staff resilience is not inexhaustible
- The quality of care across England is mostly good
- Quality has improved overall, but there is too much variation and some services have deteriorated
- To put people first, there must be more local collaboration and joined up care