Patient-reported outcome measurement: a bridge between health and social care?

Social care is under increasing pressure globally. For economically developed countries, the cost pressures on long-term care services are set to grow as governments struggle to provide high-quality social care to an ageing population and a growing number of working age adults with complex needs. 1 In England in 2018/2019, 841, 850 people received publicly funded long-term social care, primarily in care/nursing homes or in their own home with a government spend of £22 billion. 2 However, austerity has meant social care funding in real terms has fallen. Funding per person was at a lower level in 2019 than in 2010/2011, with an estimated funding gap of £1. 5 billion. This funding shortfall, projected to be at least £2. 7 billion by 2023/2024, means unmet need (i. e. people going without care and support) is a significant concern. 3 Issues around workforce sustainability and a fragmented, means-tested social care system further challenge the delivery of social care. 4 Healthcare, too, is confronted with the challenge of delivering safe, effective, quality care in the face of constrained budgets and, with COVID-19, a rapidly changing healthcare delivery landscape. As such, stakeholders across health and social care must give consideration to initiatives that will drive improvement in outcomes and quality of care.