CQC Annual Assessment of Health and Social Care in England

State of Care is the CQC's annual assessment of health and social care in England. The report looks at the trends, highlights examples of good and outstanding care, and identifies factors that maintain high-quality care.

This year’s report shows that the quality of care has been maintained despite some very real challenges. Most of us are receiving good, safe care and many services that were previously rated inadequate have recognised our inspection findings, made the necessary changes and improved.

The fact that quality has been maintained in the toughest climate most can remember is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff and leaders. However, as the system continues to struggle with increasingly complex demand, access and cost, future quality is precarious.

Health and care services are at full stretch The complexity of demand for health care and adult social care services in England continues to rise. The number of people with complex, chronic or multiple conditions is increasing, including conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia. We have an ageing population and we are living longer, and the total number of years people can expect to live in poorer health continues to rise.