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CQC reports 55% rise in adult social care concerns

The number of adult social care staff calling the Care Quality Commissions (CQC) to raise concerns has risen by more than 50%, according to the watchdog.

Figures released by the CQC show its national contact centre national contact received 2,612 calls from adult social care staff raising concerns in the period 2 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, compared to 1,685 for the same period in 2019 – a 55% increase.

Although calls often covered multiple topics, a quarter of the calls (26%) related to lack of PPE or other infection control products.

The CQC said it has escalated these concerns to local authorities to ensure providers get the supplies they need.

Around a third (32%) of calls included concerns about how infection control or social distancing was being practiced at the service they worked in and 4% of calls referred to quality of care being impacted by COVID-19.

‘It’s in everyone’s interests that staff are able to speak up freely and are not prevented from raising their concerns about quality and safety – and all providers have a responsibility to support their staff to share concerns safely without fear of reprisal,’ said the CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care, Kate Terroni.

‘Staff have been going to extraordinary lengths to deliver good, safe care during this global crisis – if they are experiencing barriers to the delivery of that care, we want to hear from them and we are encouraged that so many staff have been brave enough to raise concerns with us.’

The CQC added that 17 adult social care inspections have been conducted since the cessation of routine inspections on 16 March, of which 11 were as result of concerns raised by staff or members of the public.

The remainder were in response to notifications from the provider or information from key stakeholders.

In hospitals (including mental health and independent services), 12 inspections have been conducted since the cessation of routine inspections on 16 March, of which 7 were as result of concerns raised by staff or members of the public.

The remainder were in response to notifications from the provider or information from key stakeholders.

Photo Credit – Guvo59 (Pixabay)

Jamie Hailstone
Senior reporter - NewStart
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