Council criticised over adult social care delays

Herefordshire Council has been told it must do better on adult social care - with some elderly people waiting "a long time" to be assessed and not enough support being offered to unpaid carers.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave the authority a rating of "requires improvement" in a critical assessment.

Other concerns with the council included leaving some people waiting too long for home adaptions - and for "not always" having services in place for vulnerable residents who need help recovering from an illness, injury or hospital stay.

Conservative Councillor Carole Gandy, cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing, said they "fully recognised the need to improve".

The CQC inspection team also raised concerns over delays in hospital discharges, which they said was largely linked to the rural, spare nature of the county.

Inspectors added "most" people had good experiences with social care assessors, but noted that "some processes felt rushed" and there "could be a lack of communication" from the council.

The CQC did praise the council for "quickly" helping people who were deemed to have higher levels of risk, and for using technology-enabled care.

Inspectors also noted that support hubs have been set up across the county, to help people access information and help "in a way they preferred".

Gandy said: "We've developed and already made progress on many elements of a comprehensive improvement plan during the past year.

"The CQC's report is clear about where we are doing well, and it reflects where we know we can provide better services for people in our care, and those who look after them.

"Changes we are implementing will further help people live well, and as independently as possible, with choice and control over their care."

She added that demand for care had "increased dramatically", putting major pressure on the council's budget.

About 6,000 people received some sort of adult social care service in Herefordshire during 2025, with almost half of them placed in specialist accommodation.

Chris Badger, the CQC's chief inspector of adult social care, said inspectors found a "mixed picture" in Herefordshire.

He added: "[The] leaders at Herefordshire Council recognised where improvements are needed.

"We look forward to seeing how their plans develop, and how they build on the positive areas in our report."

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