Summary
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports that the plan to shift healthcare from hospitals to community health hubs is in jeopardy due to stress on community services. Issues include long wait times and insufficient staffing, especially in mental health care, GP services, and social care. The government claims it is investing in these areas to address challenges.
Key Facts
- The CQC says community health services are too stretched to handle moving care from hospitals.
- Issues include long waiting times and not enough staff in mental health, GP, and social care services.
- One-third of adult mental health patients face waits of three months or more for treatment.
- Only half of patients find it easy to contact GP services by phone.
- The number of district nurses has decreased by 50% per person over 65 in the last 14 years.
- Only 3.6% of older people are now getting state-funded social care, down from over 8% two decades ago.
- The government states it is working to improve the situation with more investment and a 10-year NHS plan.
- A successful local initiative in North London managed to reduce emergency visits by providing tailored support.
