Our response to CQC social care services assessment

Age UK respond to the CQC's new assessment of social care services

Commenting on the CQC's new assessment of social care services, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

"People often have to make life changing decisions about care services under pressure, so it's vital that older people and their families can easily access information about the quality of services as and when they need them. 

"The CQC have set out ambitious plans for making future information about services available, but there is still much to be done in making these plans a reality.

"Star ratings have previously provided a clear and effective indication of how good a service is, so abolishing the existing system before the new assessment process is up and running is a backward step which will make it harder for older people to find the care they need. 

"Inspection reports are a key source of public information and we are deeply concerned that forthcoming cuts in public spending will result in people not having up-to-date information.  The Government must ensure any cuts do not affect the frequency of inspections and quality of care services available to older people."

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Notes to editors

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. The Age UK family includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

Media contact: Anne-Marie Doohan
Tel: 020 8765 7511
Out of hours: 07071 243 243