We were shocked by CQC report but are committed to getting it right

The shock of Blackpool’s Adult Services receiving an “inadequate” CQC report last year is driving real improvements, says the councillor with responsibility for the department.

Cllr Neal Brookes, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, admits he was “surprised and shocked” by the damning report which was published last August.

He says the assessment by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspectors did not tally with much of the feedback that was coming from those using the service and the commitment of staff, whose “passion” for their work was acknowledged in the report.

However, Cllr Brookes said the council was fully committed to addressing the recommendations of the report and had spent the past six months putting in place measures for its Adult Social Care Improvement Plan, which has now been sent to the Department of Health and Social Care.

The CQC report highlighted fragmented plans for mental health and substance abuse, poor leadership, and inequity in care. The council’s improvement focuses on areas including reducing waiting times and strengthening partnerships.

Cllr Brookes said: “When the report came out, the feedback we got from the people receiving the care was ‘surprise’ because our record for people feeling safe was the best in the North West.

“This is why the report was such a shock – there’s been no adverse feedback.

“After the CQC report we could have seen staff running off into the night and joining another authority – but the opposite is true, they dug in.

“In fact we have seen staff coming in to join us from outside and been impressed with the way we are doing things in Blackpool.”

Cllr Brookes said the CQC report, though coming as an unwelcome shock,  had created an opportunity to look at ways  to improve and provide the best service possible

He said that over the past six months, Blackpool Council has already made “demonstrable progress.”

He added: “Since then we’ve been working hard on our plan to make sure we get it right”

That improvement plan is aimed at strengthening services, improving outcomes and ensuring long‑term sustainability, allowing adults to have a greater say in the care they receive.

A strengthened Improvement Board, independently chaired and supported by a Department of Health and Social Care–appointed Improvement Adviser, is providing external challenge and assurance.

An extra £1m is being invested in the department, creating new roles, including a new dedicated post – head of mental health – one of the areas of concern mentioned in the report.

Nick Henson – Interim Director of Adult Services, said the investment of £1m for the department  would help provide a new leadership team.

Mr Henson added: “The drive is to get investment in the right places. All the roles will be filled.

“The new leadership team will ensure that governance and assurance are in place.”