IHPN responds to CQC State of Care report

Responding to the latest Care Quality Commission “State of Care” report, Dawn Hodgkins, Director of Regulation at IHPN, said:

“The CQC’s latest State of Care report makes clear that the health system continues to face significant pressures, with demand for services increasing and too many patients waiting far too long to get the care they need.

“While there will be no quick fix to tackling these issues, the State of Care report rightly highlights the importance of all parts of the system working together to ensure patients can access safe, high quality care in a timely manner.

“With independent providers currently treating record numbers of both NHS and private patients, the sector has a huge amount to contribute to system efforts to improve care, with 94% of IHPN members currently rated “good” or “outstanding” by the CQC.

“This can be seen particularly with regards to community services where the CQC highlight that too many people – including thousands of children – are waiting often years to get the support they need. IHPN are therefore calling for NHS commissioners to make much greater use of independent providers to expand capacity in the community – helping to reduce waits, give patients real choice around their care and enabling them to live healthy and productive lives.”