Response to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual assessment of health and social care in England

Responding to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual assessment of health and social care in England, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said:

“Today’s report paints a sobering picture of the continuing pressures felt across the health and care system, particularly for people using and working in mental health and learning disability services.

“As a consequence, it’s clear that it’s more difficult than ever before for nurses and midwives – the cornerstone of the health and care workforce – to meet the care needs of a changing population.

“While the NMC register is at an all-time high – and we only have to look at some of the inspiring stories through our Always Caring, Always Nursing celebrations to see what well-supported and valued nurses can achieve – it’s not enough.

“The challenge to retain and recruit the numbers of capable, confident and highly skilled nurses and midwives that we need now, and for the future, is accelerating and needs to be tackled.

“For our own part, the NMC’s new education standards will equip all newly qualified nurses and midwives with increased skills and knowledge to care for people who have mental health and learning disability needs.

“It’s clear that these are system-wide challenges that require a system-wide solution – including effective workforce planning, a joined up approach for social care and ongoing support for continuing professional development.

“That’s the way we can help ensure nursing and midwifery professionals are enabled to deliver better, safer care for the future.”

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