The new independent care regulator is to examine the long-term impact of the recession on social care and health services, as one of seven studies and reviews it will be carrying out this year.
The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) recession study will focus on the impact of the expected long-term fall in spending growth on social care and health.
This will include an examination of how those commissioning and providing services are planning to maintain their quality.
The CQC will also produce an annual report on the state of health and social care in England, with the first one due to be published in January 2010.
The CQC announced two other pieces of work.
The first will look at how health inequalities are being addressed, and whether commissioners of services are targeting their commissioning and health promotion on those people who are most in need.
The second piece of work will examine how social services departments respond when people first contact them, and whether those people receive proper advice and information and access to the assessments they need.
The CQC had already announced four other reviews and studies, looking at: the healthcare needs of people in residential homes; the care system for people who have had a stroke; the physical health needs of mental health service-users and people with learning difficulties in hospitals and residential homes; and health and social care services provided to families with disabled children and young people.
The CQC started work on 1 April and will regulate all health and adult social care services, and protect the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
It has taken over the duties of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission.
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