Care Quality Commission - Local System Review Report, Staffordshire

The Care Quality Commission has published its findings following a review of health and social care services in Staffordshire. (December 2018)

The report is one of 23 targeted local system reviews looking specifically at how older people move through the health and social care system, with a focus on how services work together.

The reviews look at how hospitals, community health services, GP practices, care homes and homecare agencies work together to provide seamless care for people aged 65 and over living in a local area.

Overall findings

The overall Care Quality Commission reviewers findings included:

• Older people living in Staffordshire had varied experiences of health and social care services.
     
• There were instances of people attending A&E because they couldn’t get GP appointments.
     
• A&E experiences were much improved at Royal Stoke Hospital.
      
• Person-centered support for people with dementia were very positively received.

Health and social care partners are now working together to address areas highlighted in the review.

Our response

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing and Co-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, welcomed the report.

Alan said:

“The health and social care system in Staffordshire is complex and has faced challenges over a number of years.

“The County Council, together with our NHS partners, wants to help more people enjoy longer, healthy, more independent lives by focusing on more joined up prevention, early intervention and support in local communities rather than hospitals where possible.

“I would like to thank the Care Quality Commission for their report: I am pleased that it highlights the huge progress we have made, and it will help us to focus our ongoing efforts on the areas where we still need to do more.

“I would also like to thank all of the staff who have been working so hard to improve health and care services and I am glad that their achievements have been recognised.”

The report

The full details of the report and the findings and recommendations can be found on the CQC’s website.