Quality, Safety and Workforce

We asked a series of questions which looked to understand what our members see as the key opportunities and threats in regards to quality and safety in their organisations, along with how they’re trying to address these challenges.

There’s been a significant rise in the numbers of respondents viewing the promotion of open, just cultures; the implementation of PSIRF and LFPSEs; and the new data agenda – identified by around half of independent providers, compared to around one fifth last year

Overwhelmingly, respondents see that workforce recruitment is the biggest challenge, mirroring findings from previous years. Concerns around CQC’s reforms have increased, which reflects the uncertainty that providers are experiencing around changes in the regulator.

While workforce challenges remain, members see a key role for themselves in alleviating these issues – particularly around “growing their own” through e.g. apprenticeships, widening participation or training and development which has seen a 20% rise in the last year.

With an increase in independent healthcare providers looking to upskill and adapt the existing workforce, there’s clear aspirations from the sector to increase clinical training, with 90% of respondents expecting this to increase in the next five years.

Likewise, clinical apprenticeships still remain a core priority for independent healthcare providers, with 88% of respondents saying they will maintain existing programmes or increase these in the next 12 months.