Local and central govt clash over falling care standards

Local authorities oppose the government’s approach to improve falling care standards highlighted by the Care Quality Commission today.

The CQC’s most comprehensive national report for three years reveals one in four adult social care services have been rated unsafe.

The government believe new investment pledged in the 2017 budget – coupled with better communication between the health and social care sectors – will remedy things while a consultation on long term funding takes place.

However a new poll conducted by the local government association has found less than a quarter of local politicians believe ‘sustainability and transformation plans’ to reshape local health and care services will succeed.

Earlier this week Jeremy Hunt announced that CQC assessors will begin inspecting councils as well as care providers.

The health secretary has warned councils will be fined if they are found to be at fault for bed-blocking and that budget money many be withheld.

LDT Editor

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