The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) Annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England notes that the impact of staffing pressures is being seen most acutely in adult social care.
Key points from the report include: "Health and social care staff are exhausted and the workforce is depleted. People across all professions, and carers and volunteers, have worked tirelessly to help those who needed care. The negative impact of working under this sustained pressure, including anxiety, stress and burnout, cannot be underestimated."
"There is also evidence that some people have not sought care and treatment as a result of COVID-19."
Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive of CQC, said: “This year, more people than ever have contacted us with feedback and concerns about care. And as we go into winter, the health and care workforce are exhausted and depleted – which has clear implications for the vital care they deliver.
“While staffing is an issue for all sectors, we’re particularly concerned about adult social care. We’re seeing rising vacancy rates, some providers having to hand back their registrations as they don’t have enough staff to deliver care, and examples of quality suffering due to lack of staff.
“If the new Government funding is to have an impact, it needs to be used to do things differently and to develop genuinely collaborative ways of working across all care settings. And staff need to be supported and rewarded. In order to attract and retain the right people to work in adult social care, there must be a sharp focus on developing a clearly defined career pathway – linked to training, supported by consistent investment, and better terms and conditions and pay.
“We’re also highlighting the need for an extension to the Discharge to Assess funding in order to capitalise on the benefits it has delivered so far – as well as the need for additional targeted funding immediately to help areas that are struggling get through winter.
“Increased stability on funding and a clear workforce plan for social care benefits everyone – but further instability could result in a ripple effect across the wider health and care system which risks becoming a tsunami of unmet need across all sectors, with increasing numbers of people unable to access care.”
Responding to the Care Quality Commission’s annual assessment, Andrea Sutcliffe, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Chief Executive and Registrar, said:
“Today’s report highlights the extraordinary pressures on health and social care services and reflects what we hear from nursing and midwifery professionals across the UK. Their outstanding contribution to the pandemic response has been vital but they are now understandably exhausted.
“The report exposes a tired and depleted workforce facing immense difficulties, many exacerbated by the pandemic – unacceptable inequalities facing people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; increased challenges for people with a learning disability; slow progress in maternity services improvement; and the damaging impact of the crisis in social care on people in the most vulnerable of circumstances, their families and carers.
“Building something better – a health and care system that works for everyone – is the challenge set by the CQC and is a challenge we all need to meet with determination and focus. And we need to do it together.”
