CQC's PEOPLE FIRST: a response from health and care leaders to the urgent and emergency care system crisis (21 September 2022)

Summary

PEOPLE FIRST is a CQC resource to help system leaders and service providers.

Content

NHS and social care services are under extreme pressure. There have been record delays for people waiting for ambulances and treatment in hospital. 

To provide ongoing support to services managing the current challenges, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have published a new online resource for system leaders and service providers. PEOPLE FIRST presents suggested actions for individual services and the wider system to help:

• make the best use of resources
• build capacity
• ensure safety remains a priority.

Developed by CQC's National Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisor Forum with input from representatives from across health and social care, PEOPLE FIRST sets out actions that can be taken by integrated care system (ICS) leaders, staff on the frontline, national oversight bodies (including CQC), and government. 

The tool provides practical ideas and guidance to help ICSs and the services within those systems to deliver a truly person-centred urgent and emergency care pathway. It includes suggested actions to increase flow, improve staff retention, and encourage a culture of learning and improvement.