Covid-19 “magnifying inequalities” says CQC
In its annual State of Care report for England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said that covid-19 was magnifying inequalities despite the impressive performance of the NHS to date.
Existing “fault lines” in health and social care services could be made much worse by the covid-19 pandemic, but the overall quality of care has been maintained so far despite the impact of the coronavirus, says England’s healthcare regulator.
Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of SANE, comments on the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care Report 2019/20:
“SANE shares the CQC’s concern that the pandemic-driven transformation of health and social care risks magnifying existing problems in mental health services.
“Since the beginning of lockdown, 85% of callers to our helpline have been new to our service, while 30% tell us they are actively suicidal.
“People are either being tipped over the edge due to isolation and loneliness, or have existing conditions that are being made worse. We fear in a Covid-dominated health service there will be no room left for them.”
Related article:
Covid-19 pandemic is magnifying healthcare inequalities, says England’s regulator – BMJ
