Research shows over two-thirds of people in England ready to help improve health and social care post-COVID-19

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Healthwatch England have launched a new campaign, which calls on people who access health and social care services to help shape the future of health and social care.

Entitled ‘Because we all care’, the campaign has been launched following new research that shows 67 percent of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The research, conducted by Opinium, polled 2,000 adults aged 18+ between 11th and 16th of June 2020, which revealed insights people’s opinions on giving feedback on health and social care services.

Now, the CQC and Healthwatch England have joined forces with other health and care partners to encourage people to help shape the future of health and social care.

According to the research, 57 percent of people said they would be more willing, since COVID-19, to support NHS and social care services by actively providing feedback on their care. The results also show that people say they are more grateful for the healthcare services they receive – particularly GP and hospital services – since the outbreak.

This sentiment was strongest among young people (aged 18-34), the research outlined, who are now even more likely to take more action to support the work of health and social care services than other age groups.

With the public already giving generously to health causes, the polling suggests that this age group is now significantly more likely to feedback on care (72 percent) and to donate to, or fundraise for, a relevant health cause (52 percent).

Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector Adult Social Care at the CQC, said: “People working in health and social care have been going to extraordinary lengths to deliver good, safe care during this global crisis. They have never had a more crucial – or a more challenging – role to play.

“This research clearly shows the public’s appreciation for the care and support they and their loved ones have received and it’s inspiring that people are now looking for ways to channel this into practical action.

“Now more than ever, every voice really does matter. It’s only by hearing what’s working and what’s not, that health and social care providers can improve the quality of care and support that they are delivering.”

The new campaign, which will run extensively on social media, aims to help services identify and address quality issues and support patients by encouraging people to share feedback on individual experiences of health and social care services in England.

People can give feedback on their experiences of care, or those of someone they care for, on the CQC website or through their local Healthwatch.