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Niall Dickson, Chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare system, responded to the CQC report into the state of healthcare in England

“It would be a tragedy if the NHS’s 70th birthday was remembered as the year England’s care system collapsed, but today’s report reveals real concerns that mental health and social care services are not sustainable. Contracts are being handed back leaving more individuals at risk.

“Let no-one misunderstand what is being said here – the health and care system is managing well, with some improvements in safety, but its future is precarious. And one in eight older people are not getting the help they need.

“CQC has the support and confidence of government yet this message is not a comforting one – once again with herculean effort, leaders and those on the front line have delivered safe services to millions but the pressures are taking their toll. 

“Today’s report is unequivocal – the quality of services is in a fragile state as the system strains to treat and support more older people with complex conditions. 

“There are fewer nursing home beds and home care contracts are being handed back because there is not enough money to pay for the care that is needed.

“Of course, as the report acknowledges, there is more local services can do to improve co-ordination and the way services are organised, but the inescapable conclusion has to be that without further government funding today’s perilous state will become tomorrow’s tragedy.

“As CQC has pointed out, this is one of the major unresolved public policy issues of our time. It is time government and indeed all the political class woke up to this challenge and accept that if social care goes down, we all go down.”

Notes to editors:

• The NHS Confederation represents 85 per cent of NHS providers and commissioners. The organisation has nearly 500 members across health and social care, including hospitals, community and mental health providers, ambulance trusts and independent sector organisations providing NHS care. It is the only membership body to bring together and speak on behalf of the whole NHS.
• Follow the NHS Confederation press office on Twitter @NHSConfed_Press.
• A full list of NHS Confederation press releases and statements can be accessed at its media centre.
• For media queries, contact Neil Durham (Senior Media Officer - 020 7799 8671 / neil.durham@nhsconfed.org); Charlotte George (Senior Media Officer - 020 7799 8664 / charlotte.george@nhsconfed.org); Claire Patel-Campbell (Media Officer - 0113 306 3094 / Claire.Patel-Campbell@nhsconfed.org) or Dan Keel (Head of Communications - 020 7799 8637 / daniel.keel@nhsconfed.org). For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500 726