CQC publishes The state of health care and adult social care 2023/24

The state of health care and adult social care in England 2023/24 front cover

The Care Quality Commission (CQC)’s latest State of Care report provides a clear-eyed look at how health and adult social care services are performing across England. It draws on inspection findings, patient surveys, people’s personal experiences, and wider data trends to highlight where we're seeing progress—and where pressures remain strong.

1. Access to Care—Still a Struggle

·        GP appointments are increasingly hard to get: As GP registrations grew from 60 to 63 million since 2020, waiting lists also grew—people waiting over 2 weeks rose from 4.2 million to 5 million, and those waiting over 4 weeks climbed to 1.4 million.

·        Dental services lag behind, second only to GP appointments in terms of access issues.

2. Adult Social Care: Demand Outstripping Supply

·        Assessment backlogs persist: Nearly 250,000 people were waiting for assessments—including DoLS, carers, and occupational therapy—as of August 2023.

·        Discharge delays remain critical: Around 4,000 people spent 14+ days in hospital while waiting for care home or home-based support.

3. Workforce and Financial Strain

·        Care sector staffing and funding remain fragile: Staff turnover is high, international recruitment has fallen sharply, and modern slavery concerns surged—with 106 referrals made in 2023/24 (nearly 3x the previous year).

4. DoLS—System Under Strain

·        Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) continue to face serious delays. Backlogs vary significantly by area, and the process is widely described by professionals as “not working”—highlighting an urgent need for reform.

Why This Matters to You

For those delivering care, the State of Care report underscores that timely, responsive support remains a daily challenge. Whether it’s helping someone register with a GP, reducing hospital stays, or ensuring DoLS processes are followed, frontline staff help make the difference. When systems are stretched, your vigilance, advocacy, and compassion become even more essential.