CQC Digital Failings, Cyber Bill Changes, and Public Sentiment on Social Care

It’s Friday, April 4—hope your week has been productive, and you’re looking forward to the weekend! In this edition, the latest findings from an independent review of the technology behind the CQC's regulatory platform and provider portal. Plus, the potential impacts of the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, set to hit Parliament in 2025.

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Heads Up, Social Care Providers! New Cyber Bill Brings Big Changes Ahead

The UK’s new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will transform how public services, including the NHS, tackle cyber threats. With over 1,000 suppliers impacted, it’s more than just an IT issue—it’s a wake-up call for everyone in the health and social care supply chain. Here's what you need to know:

• Tighter Supplier Rules: Providers will face stricter requirements, including enhanced risk assessments and data protection measures.

• Incident Reporting: Companies will need to be more transparent and report breaches quickly, helping regulators map vulnerabilities and respond faster.

• Future-Proofing: The government will have the power to adjust regulations as threats evolve—meaning compliance is an ongoing task, not a one-time check.

Providers should consider the entire ‘supply chain,’ including tech suppliers and organizations connected to their systems—like pharmacies and GP-led access systems. A weakness at any point of the supply chain can ripple out and affect everyone.

To stay ahead, pair compliance efforts with staff training to spot phishing scams and other “people-first” attacks. Investing in staff education and digital skills will help turn cyber challenges into opportunities for building resilience.

Read more

CQC's Digital Transformation Deemed Unacceptable, Review Calls for Major Rebuild

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released an independent review addressing the significant disruption caused by its current technology. The report highlights that the way the digital transformation was handled was unacceptable but also concludes that the regulatory platform and provider portal can still be salvaged. Key recommendations include involving both internal and external users extensively, ensuring the rebuild reflects their needs, and redeveloping the platforms.

The review suggests that technology should be seamlessly integrated into care practices to improve efficiency and care quality. CQC is encouraged to adapt its regulatory framework to support technological advancements, allowing care providers to innovate while maintaining safety.

Read more at CQC.

Inclusion in Technology-Enabled Care

Dr. Matthew Ford, Research Analyst at Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), explores whether technology-enabled care is being developed to benefit everyone and how to make it more inclusive. He introduces the concept of "tecquity," which ensures that care technologies are accessible to all. The article emphasizes:

• Digital Divides: We need strategies to make sure everyone, regardless of background, can access and benefit from tech in care.

• Training & Support: Both care providers and recipients need proper training to fully use these technologies.

• Community Engagement: Understanding community needs helps create more tailored, effective tech solutions.

Read the full article here.

How satisfied is the British public with social care?

The Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund join forces each year to analyse and present findings from the gold-standard survey of public attitudes and opinions towards the NHS and social care. The survey also asks respondents about their satisfaction with social care services aimed at those who need assistance due to illness, disability or old age.

In 2024, 13% of respondents said they were ‘very’ or ‘quite’ satisfied with social care. Of these, only 2% said they were ‘very’ satisfied. Meanwhile, 53% of respondents said they were ‘very’ or ‘quite’ dissatisfied with social care. Although these are not statistically significant changes compared to 2023 (13% of people in 2023 said they were ‘very’ or ‘quite’ satisfied with social care), there has been a steady decrease in satisfaction scores since 2021. However, there was a statistically significant increase, from 28% to 32%, in respondents who said they were ‘neither satisfied nor dissatisfied’.

Read the report here

Thank you for joining us in exploring these important topics in digital transformation within social care. Have a great weekend! And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected].

Best wishes

DGTL Care Team