State of the provider sector 2022

86% of trust leaders were very worried (39%) or worried (47%) about whether their trusts have capacity to meet demand for services over the next 12 months. 6% were neither confident nor worried, 7% were confident, 1% were very confident and 1% did not know. Last year, 84% of trust leaders were very worried (35%) or worried (49%).

Just under half (48%) of trust leaders rated the current quality of healthcare provided by their local area as very high (2%) or high (46%). 43% rated it as average, 8% as low quality and 1% as very low quality. 1% did not know.
About one third (34%) of trust leaders predicted that the quality of healthcare provided by their local area in the coming year would be very high (1%) or high (33%). 43% said it would be average, 15% low quality, 2% very low quality. 7% did not know.
Under one third (30%) of trust leaders predicted that the quality of healthcare provided by their local area in the coming two years would be very high (2%) or high (28%). 38% rated it as average, 17% as low and 4% as very low. 11% did not know.

77% of trust leaders were very worried (20%) or worried (57%) about their trust having the right numbers, quality and mix of staff to deliver high quality healthcare currently. 11% were neither confident nor worried, 11% were confident and 1% were very confident. 1% did not know.
82% of trust leaders were very worried (38%) or worried (44%) about their trust having the right numbers, quality and mix of staff to deliver high quality healthcare in the coming year, an increase from 63% last year. 9% were neither confident nor worried, 6% were confident, 1% were very confident and 1% did not know.
78% of trust leaders were very worried (38%) or worried (40%) about their trust having the right numbers, quality and mix of staff to delivery high quality healthcare in the coming two years. This is also an increase from just over half (55%) last year. 8% were neither confident nor worried, 8% were confident, 2% were very confident and 2% did not know.
The level of concern increases as trust leaders are asked to consider the likely position in one and two years' time.

Almost all (93%) trust leaders were extremely (52%) or moderately (41%) concerned about the current level of burnout across their workforce. 8% were slightly concerned. This is a similar proportion to last year's findings.
Regarding morale, eight in 10 (80%) trust leaders were extremely (43%) or moderately (37%) concerned about their workforce. 18% were slightly concerned, 1% were slightly concerned and 1% did not know.

In response to this question, many respondents highlighted inflationary pressures and its impact on running costs. Another common theme was agency costs, with respondents highlighting that agency spend is increasing due to increased demand. Many respondents also highlighted their concern for meeting targets. This included performance targets and efficiency/cost improvement programme targets. Many respondents also mentioned their concerns for their recurrent and increasing deficit.

Most (94%) leaders were very worried (70%) or worried (24%) about whether sufficient national investment is being made in social care in their local area.
However, when thinking about direct investment by the trust, a smaller proportion (43%) were very worried (16%) or worried (27%), 39% were neither worried nor confident, 7% were confident, 1% were very confident and 11% did not know.
When asked about direct investment by the system and its partners, a larger proportion (71%) were very worried (31%) or worried (40%) about sufficient investment being made. 19% were neither worried nor confident, 5% were confident, and 6% did not know.

Almost two thirds (65%) of trust leaders were very worried (23%) or worried (42%) about whether sufficient investment is being made in public health and prevention in their local area. 26% were neither confident nor worried, 5% were confident, and 4% did not know.

Over half (54%) of trust leaders were very worried (14%) or worried (40%) about whether support and infrastructure is in place locally to enable a more integrated service across primary care and secondary care. 28% were neither confident nor worried, 13% were confident, 2% were very confident and 2% did not know.