October 25th 2024
The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England looks at the quality of care over the past year.
As well as considering access and quality, the report also highlights issues regarding sharing information.
In particular, the report identifies issues with data access and analysis within integrated care systems (ICSs). Although there were variations across ICSs, the report says:
“Overall, responses suggest that access to analytical capability is a significant challenge shared across many ICSs, alongside accessing the right types of data to support analysis of population needs.”
There is, however, a positive note on how local authorities are sharing data to support good safeguarding:
“Local authorities have a focus on safety through collaboration. Shared data and information is helping this, as it is made available across services and care pathways, improving safety for people moving between hospitals and the community.”
Responding to the report, Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director at Digital Care Hub said:
View all News“Data really matters. It matters at a national policy level – and at a system and local level. Which is why CQC and Skills for Care’s annual reports are so valuable, providing essential data to inform and support improvement.
“CQC’s report does, however, identify a concerning gap in analytical capacity and access to data at an integrated care system level. Through our work with care providers, Digital Care Hub recognises this issue. Unfortunately many data systems remain NHS-focused, with limited input or access to the valuable information that social care providers and the voluntary and community sector can bring to the table. We will continue to push for genuinely integrated care and data systems. The recently published Data (Use and Access) Bill is a real opportunity to get this right.”