The CQC’s annual State of Care report explores the quality of care across acute, community and social care services.
This year’s report highlights the impact increased pressures are having on elective procedures in England. Waiting lists for elective care grew by almost 1.3 million from June 2014 to June 2019, when it stood at nearly 4.4 million people (a rise of 40%). This is putting huge pressure on services as well as on staff who are working hard to try and tackle an ever growing workload.
The report also highlights the impact workforce pressures are having on staff, leading to stress and burn out.
Professor Mike Griffin OBE, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said:
“The CQC’s State of Care Report highlights the impact that increased demand and workforce pressures are having, not only on emergency departments, but on patient waiting times.
We are encouraged by the recent announcements of increased investment in medical education and training and the overall direction of the interim People Plan. However, as the benefits of having an expanded medical workforce will take time to realise, it is important that more is done to support and encourage existing staff.
It is for this reason we have been asking for NHS bodies to implement the recommendations of our Improving the Working Environment for Safe Surgical Care report, including the ring fencing of training budgets and time for training.