CQC: The state of health care and adult social care in England 2024/25
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released its annual State of Health Care and Adult Social Care in England 2024/25 report.
Each year, State of Care assesses health care and social care in England. The report looks at the trends, shares examples of goof and outstanding care, and highlights where care needs to improve.
While highlighting examples of innovation, excellence and improvements in quality that make a difference for people, the report shows the continuous pressures across the health and social care system.
The CQC has warned that the health and social care system remains fragmented and under severe strain as it prepares for a major shift from hospital to community care.
Demand across services is growing and failure to deliver effective joined-up care results in long waits and unmet needs. Pressures in one area are felt across the system. Unable to access preventative and community-based support, patients' conditions may worsen, exacerbating the strain on hospitals later down the line.
The report also highlights longstanding inequalities with some groups of people – including older people, people with dementia, people with a learning disability, and those with complex mental health needs – more likely to struggle to navigate services, often meaning their families and unpaid carers carry increasing burdens.
What we hear from Kingston residents
As the independent champion for health and social care in the Royal Borough of Kingston we speak to people about their experiences and identify areas for change.
Our recent conversations with young Disabled people and their families revealed the challenges of transitioning between children's and adult services, managing the diagnostic process and the barriers to accessing support for an intermittent disability.
When we spoke to adults with support needs about the 'three shifts' outlined by Change NHS, many welcomed technological advancements like virtual wards and shared medical records. They also told us about the importance of personalised care and shared concerns about the privacy of online meetings
We also carry out a programme of Enter and View visits to speak to local people about their experiences of care settings.
