How can services maintain and improve standards?
The quality of healthcare across the country is mostly good despite facing increasing pressures, says State of Care 2016/17, the annual assessment of health and social care in England by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The report says the high quality of care in such a tough climate is down to the hard work of staff and leaders. But health and care services are at full stretch and future quality is ‘precarious’ the report said. As staff battle with increasing demand and unfilled vacancies there is a limit to their resilience.
Although parts of the system previously rated as inadequate have now improved, standards have dropped in some areas. Far too much care needs to improve, says the CQC.
The assessment rates 37% of NHS acute care services as requires improvement. NHS mental health care services (24%), adult social care services (19%) and 6% of GP practices also require improvement.
Services that did well had enthusiastic leaders committed to equality, with a culture of equality and human rights, found the report.
Further information
Wellards: General practice performing well, inspection reveals
Wellards: NHS structure