New National Survey Shows Lack of Public Trust In CQC
A new survey reveals that less than half of the public (42%) trust the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The results highlight worrying concerns about the organisation’s ability to safeguard people following the Dash Review, published last week, which found ‘significant failures’ at the regulator.
The survey, commissioned by health and social care communications agency PLMR, and conducted by Savanta, also found that just 44% are confident CQC inspections and reports are accurate.
The new statistics have caused concern across the sector, with Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of national home care provider Bluebird Care, suggesting it is “deeply concerning to see that public faith in the CQC has fallen so low.”
Dr Jane Townson, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association, described the collective evidence as “damning and deeply troubling” for the care sector.
Dr Penny Dash’s final report into the operational effectiveness of the CQC, which was commissioned by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, was released last week. The report identified several serious failings at the regulator, which she suggested had “led to a substantial loss of credibility within the health and social care sectors”.
The CQC’s current approach to assessments was found to offer “limited information” for providers, service users or patients “as to what care looks like under each of the ratings categories.”
The review concluded that the CQC’s poor performance had impacted its ability to “ensure that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, and compassionate care.”
The findings come as Kate Terroni, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the CQC, has announced she is leaving the organisation after what she described as “an intensely challenging experience”.
2,031 interviews were conducted among the general public as part of the survey, targeting a nationally representative UK 18+ audience over the 15th and 16th October 2024.
Dr Jane Townson, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association said:
“These findings, coupled with the reviews by Dr Penny Dash and Professor Sir Mike Richards, mirror our own research at the Homecare Association. The collective evidence is damning and deeply troubling for our sector. Effective regulation is essential for maintaining high standards of quality and safety of care. It is also vital for fostering public trust in our services.
“The fact that less than half of the public trusts the CQC or understands its responsibilities is a serious concern that needs addressing with urgency.
“Many of our members have had to implement their own quality assurance measures to fill the gaps left by infrequent or ineffective CQC inspections. Others are waiting months for registration.
“The Homecare Association stands ready to work collaboratively with the CQC to rebuild trust and create a regulatory system that truly serves the interests of those who rely on care and support.”
Nathan Hollow, Group Director and Head of Health and Social Care at PLMR, who commissioned the poll, commented:
“In my work with clients, I’ve seen first-hand how much we need to battle against an ineffective CQC that is unwilling to engage, even to the most serious of allegations. This undermines confidence and heaps pressure on a healthcare system that is under severe strain.
“The road to rebuilding this trust will be long and complex. Our polling shows trust is lowest amongst those groups which rely on healthcare services the most – older people and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Alongside addressing its many operational challenges, the CQC needs to look carefully at how it communicates its findings to the public, makes this information easy to understand, and ensures its reports are accessible to all. It’s currently failing on these basics and fundamentally letting down the public and those vulnerable people in need of high-quality health and care services.”
