Commenting on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) annual State of Care report, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Rob Behrens said:
“This report makes for extremely difficult reading. It echoes widespread concerns about people’s access to and experience of healthcare, particularly around maternity and mental health services where too many patients are at risk. Too much of the current provision is ineffective at assisting those who need care most.
“When the system fails and things go wrong, people are entitled to raise concerns. Their voices must be heard and acted upon. Sadly, as this evidence-based report shows, this isn’t always the case. The NHS needs to embed a genuine learning culture to prevent the same mistakes from happening again, but we also need implementation of long-term workforce planning with cross-party support.
“Our healthcare system can’t keep up with the rising demand for care. With more and more people having to turn to private healthcare a two-tiered health system has been created where, too often, only those who can afford it, are able to be treated quickly.”
