• CQC report sets out solutions for managing increased demand in emergency departments
• The report calls for system-wide action to ensure next winter is ‘different’
• We say trusts need to be supported to share practice and lessons learnt from their experiences last winter to ensure services are safe and resilient next time

The Care Quality Commission has published Under Pressure: Safely managing increased demand in emergency departments.

The report sets out practical solutions for managing increased demand in NHS emergency departments and calls for system-wide action to ensure services are resilient for next winter.

The report is based on findings from the CQC’s inspections of emergency departments over winter 17/18 and from engagement with clinicians.

Responding, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“This winter saw the NHS frontline and its staff working at full stretch. One of the driving factors behind this unprecedented rise in demand is the realities of an ageing population, many attending emergency and A&E services with complex and multiple conditions. This, together with a lack of capacity across community, primary and social care, hospital and mental health services, meant that trusts lacked the necessary resources to meet this additional demand.  

“As we set out in our report this week, more must be done to prioritise and properly invest in services in the community which can help keep people living well and avoiding unnecessary hospital attendances. 

Trusts need to be supported to share practice and lessons learnt from their experiences last winter to ensure services are safe and resilient next time.

Saffron Cordery    

"The CQC rightly recognises good practice within emergency departments. Trusts need to be supported to share practice and lessons learnt from their experiences last winter to ensure services are safe and resilient next time.

“However demand will continue to grow, it is urgent that the much anticipated long-term and sustainable funding plan addresses the gap between what is asked of the health and care system as a whole and the resources it has to deliver those high quality and safe services for patients.”