Showcase Event Helps Care Providers Tackle The Challenges Facing Adult Social Care

In one of the most hotly anticipated seminars at the annual Surrey and Sussex Care Showcase, the Care Quality Commission’s Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe, outlined her views on how quality care can be sustained in the face of increasing challenges to the sector.

Ms Sutcliffe headed a list of high profile speakers at the Showcase including Keith Hinkley from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Professor Graham Stokes from Bupa and Vic Rayner from the National Care Forum (NCF)

With the theme of Developing Resilience in Health and Social Care, the Showcase’s seminar programme offered care providers a unique perspective on a wide variety of topics including dementia and end of life care, technology, staff recruitment and leadership, and even a look at Australian models of home care.

Erica Lockhart, Chief Executive of Surrey Care Association and one of the Showcase organisers said: “There has never been a more challenging environment across the whole spectrum of social care provision. The inspection approach of CQC, pressure on fees and costs together with the uncertainly about how health and social care services will be integrated mean care providers must have robust strategies in place to ensure a sustainable long term future for the sector. Our Showcase helps keep providers abreast of developments and best practice in the sector enabling them to face up to the challenges ahead.”

Attracting over 600 care providers and care staff from across Surrey and Sussex, this year’s Showcase was officially opened by The Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Pete West. Showcase’s extensive exhibition area also offered a ‘one stop shop’ for information and advice on products and services from over 65 training providers, legal and business advisors, care associations and suppliers to the care industry.