CQC Survey 2024 Finds Early Signs of Improvement in Hospital Care, But Key Issues Remain
The Care Quality Commission’s Adult Inpatient Survey 2024 reveals promising improvements in patients’ experiences of hospital care, though many challenges persist.
What’s Better:
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Of the 36 questions repeated from 2023, 17 show significant improvement, 17 are stable, and 2 show statistically significant decline.
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More patients report being treated with respect, dignity, kindness, and compassion.
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Increased patient involvement in conversations and decisions about their care, and rising levels of trust and confidence in doctors and nurses.
Where More Progress Is Needed:
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Many elective patients still feel that waiting times for admission are too long, and some report their health worsened while waiting.
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Support after discharge from hospital is inconsistent. Around 23% said they did not get enough help from health or social care services to manage their condition.
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People with disabilities, frailty, or long-term conditions tend to report worse hospital experiences than others.
What Happens Next:
The CQC will use these findings to help identify areas of risk and to inform inspections, regulatory actions, and improvement efforts. NHS trusts and commissioners are urged to study the data to drive positive changes in patient care.
Read the full report below.
Source: Adult inpatient survey 2024 – Care Quality Commission
