Our Response to CQC’s “The State of Health Care and Adult Social Care in England 2023/24” Report
The Association welcomes the insights presented in the CQC’s latest report on the state of health care and adult social care in England. We acknowledge the significant challenges highlighted, including the increasing demand for mental health services among adults and children, the disparities in access to care, and the urgent need for improvements in workforce capacity and facility safety.
The rising demand for mental health support continues to be a pressing issue that requires urgent action. We are particularly concerned about the barriers faced by marginalised communities, including people living in deprived areas, women, and individuals from minoritised communities. Ensuring equitable access to mental health services is crucial to improving mental health and wellbeing, for recovery where possible, and early interventions to prevent mental illness and crisis.
The report’s findings on long wait times for treatment underscore the urgent need for enhanced investment in mental health services. To address staffing shortages we call for a comprehensive approach to workforce development, aimed at attracting and, significantly, retaining skilled professionals in the sector whilst also offering staff mental health support.
As Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Mental Health Providers, emphasises,
“The report notes that the demand for adult mental health services continues to grow, and even more so for children and young people, with ever increasing numbers seeking care and support for their mental health. We must prioritise the voices of people living with poor mental health or illness, who have been affected by the disparities in access to mental health care and support, and psychiatric facility safety concerns. It is crucial that we engage with marginalised communities to understand their unique needs and experiences. Only by working together, across sectors and with those who use mental health services, can we create a mental health system that is truly accessible, effective, and compassionate for everyone. This is not just an issue of policy; it’s about ensuring dignity and respect for every individual seeking support.”
We share concerns regarding patient dignity and safety in ward environments, and modernised, well-designed spaces that support better mental health and recovery are essential for both staff to work effectively and patients to feel comfortable and safe.
We also encourage Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to actively engage with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSEs) to continue to better understand local needs. Working collaboratively can help drive initiatives that effectively address the root causes of poor mental health and illness in communities.
Our membership of VCSE mental health service providers play a vital role in delivering essential support to over 8 million people. Their place as a trusted source of support in the community, ability to build long-term relationships, ensuring that community voices are heard developing personalised approaches, and services that are tailored to local needs. Engaging and collaborating with the VCSE mental health provider sector and services are tailored to local needs in response to the CQC findings is essential in creating a mental health system that is providing safe and effective care and support.
The CQC report emphasises the need for service integration to tackle health inequalities. The VCSE sector and our members are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps and take a “whole-person” approach to offering care and support. By collaborating with statutory services, they can help create a responsive and person-centered care system.
As the only national organisation representing over 300 VCSE mental health service providers, The Association is committed to amplifying and including the voices and views of our members, and the people they support, in national and local policy discussions, ensuring that their insights and needs are recognised at all levels.