CQC publishes the state of health care and adult social care report

Services need to be more joined-up and patient-centred, the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) first annual report on the state of health and social care services in England claims.

According to the report, care services are improving but it warns that demand and pressure on finances make reform essential.

Commenting on the report, CQC’s interim chair, Dame Jo Williams, said there have been steady improvements which should be celebrated.

“Successes have come in areas that really matter to people such as reducing hospital infection rates and helping people live independently at home,” she said.

“But we are mindful of the fact that pockets of poor practice remain. This must be addressed,” she warned.

Dame Williams added that radical changes are need to the way services are organised and delivered.

“This means shifting the culture away from a one-size-fits-all approach to care that puts the needs of individuals and carers at the centre of everything. A key part of this will involve helping people maintain their independence and health,” she added.

Earlier this week, Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said more funding is needed to ensure proper levels of care are offered to needy people in society.