A season of care in review, updates from Fulcrum, including those from CQC

The social care sector is in a state of change, which has major implications for investors, lenders, providers and owners – many of whom have talked to us about the need for expert, accessible market insights to inform investments and optimise commercials.

So here it is! The Fulcrum Market Update, which we will be sending out quarterly. In our inaugural newsletter we:

• dive into the last six months of CQC data to identify the trends through our unique interactive CQC data dashboards
• outline the CQC’s focus for 2023 and its re-evaluation of how it functions and interacts with care providers
• round up the need-to-know news for anyone invested in – or considering moving into – the care sector.

Care home providers, owners and investors across the UK need to understand what these changes and trends mean for their care service, commercials and investments, to ensure they are in the best position for a new season of social care.

We hope you find our insights helpful. Please do let me know if there is other information you would find of value so we can look to include it in our Q3 Market Update.

Kind regards,

Tony Thiru

CEO of Fulcrum Care Limited

CQC half year data review

CQC rating changes

Rate of change in national care home ratings measured between January and June 2022

Outstanding -0.02%

Good -0.355%

Requires Improvement +1.1%

Inadequate -0.2%

Regional care performance

Highest regional performance for care service ratings as of June 2022

Outstanding – South West (6.1%)

Good – South West (79.7%)

Requires Improvement – East Midlands (21.1%)

Inadequate – East (2.2%)

Six months in review reveals CQC postcode trends

Read our expanded six months review to find out where the most prominent ‘postcode trends’ are appearing, and what that can mean for social care investors.

Sector news round-up

Government announces £2bn Plan for Digital Health and Social Care to give the health and care sectors rapid digitisation. Read more

Scottish National Care Service (NCS) publishes new legislation to end ‘postcode lottery of care’. Read more

New report warns that social care reform bill over £10bn higher than estimated — funding shortfalls expected in South, East and West of England. Read more

What you need to know about the future of the CQC

This includes a shift to a universal framework that is more data-driven and people-led, so it’s crucial that care providers are prepared to adapt to their new approach now.

Find out what you need to know and our expert recommendations for the future of CQC regulation in your care service.

Your care home hot weather essentials

Our latest guide is full of recommendations to ensure a great care environment for residents. It also includes identifying and reducing potential heat risks, along with a list of our cost-effective activities for care home providers and managers to consider.