CQC Publishes its Annual 'State of Care' in England, 2019 - 2020
Every year the Care Quality Commission takes an overview of the varying aspects of health and social care in England, identifying where improvement has taken place, where improvement remains to be achieved and what challenges remain. Including an assessment of mental health services, social care and both primary and secondary care providers, access to care, the quality of provision and the functioning of systems are all taken into account.
State of Care Pre-Pandemic
For the year 2019/2020, this has necessitated a two-part assessment: the state of care prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an assessment of its impact so far.
In reviewing the quality of care prior to the pandemic, the CQC found both cause to celebrate as well as cause for concern.
- 75% of core services in NHS acute care were rated good or outstanding, an improvement on the previous year
- However, more than half of emergency services in hospital, almost a third of medical care and outpatient services, and more than 25% of maternity services were rated as requiring improvement.
- There was an increase in the percentage of mental health services which were rated inadequate
- Social care services were identified as 'fragile' due to 'the lack of a long-term funding solution' and a need for government to make this a priority was stated
- The number of people waiting for treatment had risen
- Emergency departments were under pressure, affecting people's access to care
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The report acknowledged the difficulties faced by the National Health Service in coping with the pandemic and the excellent work carried out by countless health and care workers in tackling the many and varied problems presented by the crisis.
The report further recognised the on-going impact of the pandemic on diagnosis and care of life-threatening conditions such as cancer and cardiac issues as well as its impact on mental health and well-being.
The report identified that there are disparities in the impact of COVID-19 across different sectors of the population, as well as continuing differences in access to care. One example is the move of some services to digital delivery which can disadvantage those who do not have digital access.
Challenges and opportunities identified by the report include the need to develop new pathways and practices 'that reduce health inequalities and improve people's lives.'
Other areas needing improvement and reform were identified as investment and reform of social care, addressing the issue of waiting lists and the backlog of care needs, and, vitally, the issue of access to mental health support.
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