Opinion
What 2016 meant for the social care sector
Davina Ludlow, director,
carehome.co.uk, looks back at 2016, a year of significant political turmoil in the UK, during which we saw a continuously changing landscape and agenda, which ultimately looks set to lead to a raft of positive developments within the social care sector
While it is commonly felt that social care has long been on the brink of a funding crisis, 2016 has also brought with it some positive progression for the sector. From improvement in care quality, greater awareness and support from politicians and the media in relation to the current social care challenges and advancements in dementia care, we hope the positive developments of 2016 will continue into 2017. One of the most significant
developments in the social care sector in 2016 was the improvement in the quality of care being delivered in care homes across the country. This was highlighted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its State of Care report, which was published in May. Despite the increasing challenges
facing the sector, there have been encouraging levels of improvement, with nearly three quarters of care homes originally rated as ‘inadequate’ improving their ratings following their most recent CQC inspections. This means that over 12,000 people in the UK are receiving better and safer care from care services. This change is significant for the
social care sector moving forward as it reinforces the positive results that can be achieved when providers strive to meet the high standards set by regulators. Furthermore, it highlights the strong commitment and collaboration on behalf of staff, providers, commissioners, funders and regulators to deliver the best quality care possible with the resources available. After inspecting all 17,000 social
care providers in England, the CQC launched its new strategy for 2016 to 2021 to further improve the standards of care that the elderly and vulnerable experience. The strategy sets out a vision for a more targeted, responsive and collaborative approach to regulation, essentially ensuring that more people across the country can
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be provided with better quality care. Outlining the strategy for the future, the CQC has pledged to encourage improvement, innovation and sustainability in care to adapt its current approach to continuously evolving and increasingly personalised care models. By incorporating the inspection
of a larger number of groups and geographical areas, the CQC will be able to highlight the benefits and subsequent requirements for health and social care services to work together. The launch of the new five year strategy signals a real focus on improvement and development of standards in the future, which is significant as it comes at a time when good quality social care is required, with average life expectancy increasing over time and personal needs and requirements becoming more complex.
Living with dementia Many older people who are receiving care in residential settings across the country are living with dementia. Dementia care is an area that saw vast advancements in 2016, from experimental
research studies to additional funding and investment. In September, it was announced that
a £186 million investment would see dementia research funding rise to more than £45 m from April 2017. This is the largest cash investment in the history of the NHS, and will ensure that the UK retains its reputation of being a world leader in medical research. With the challenges of an ageing population and the pressures of a looming health crisis, the boost in funding is welcome news. Research into dementia has also been
further facilitated by donations from charities, funds and organisations. In May, a partnership of the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Medical Research Council pledged a £50 m investment to establish the UK’s first dedicated Dementia Research Institute, one of the single biggest financial commitments to dementia in the history of the charity. The Institute, which is set to open in
2020 and will bring together scientists and experts from around the world, has also been backed by a £150 m
www.thecarehomeenvi ronment .com • January 2017
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