NMC responds to CQC State of Care report 2023
Published on 20 October 2023
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its annual assessment of health and social care in England.
Commenting on the findings, Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said:
“The CQC’s latest report is another stark reminder of the struggles people face in accessing high-quality care. And as workforce pressures continue, the findings show just how crucial it is that professionals have the right support and resources in place to deliver the safe, kind and effective care everyone, especially those in the most vulnerable circumstances, deserves.
“While NHS England’s Long Term Workforce Plan is a welcome step in addressing many of the workforce challenges we see in the NHS, the CQC’s report highlights the vital need for a plan that ensures professionals in social care are also listened to and supported.
“The report’s focus on midwifery care is important and sobering. As we highlighted in our recent Spotlight on Nursing and Midwifery report, it's clear that discrimination is undermining the quality of care professionals provide, and is leading to worse health outcomes for mothers, babies and families.
“It’s worrying to hear that midwives from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds describe discrimination as ‘normalised’. Again, this reflects our own findings about the racism and discrimination too many people face. At a time when international recruitment is so heavily relied upon, we need more inclusive working cultures where all professionals feel supported to thrive, for the benefit of the people they care for.
“The poor experiences of mothers and babies from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds is incredibly concerning. We want all women to feel confident that they’ll receive safe, effective and person-centred care at this crucial time for every family. That’s why we launched ‘The best midwifery care happens in partnership’ initiative, to help support a strong and positive relationship between midwives, women and families.
“Nurses, midwives and nursing associates make an essential contribution to people’s health and wellbeing, but it’s clear they need adequate resources and the right support and leadership, to provide the best care they can.”
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