David Thomas: Celebrating a ‘Good’ result for Adult Social Care - and looking ahead to healthy ageing in Torbay

Across Torbay, we’ve got a double reason to celebrate this Christmas. As the festive season gets underway, we’ve received some great news: our Adult Social Care services have been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

It’s a welcome boost at this time of year and something everyone involved can be proud of. This isn’t about paperwork or ticking boxes; it’s an independent assessment that people in Torbay are receiving the care, dignity and support they deserve.

Before saying anything else, I want to give a very genuine thank you to all the staff working in Adult Social Care, day in, day out. To our partners across the NHS, to our commissioned care providers and the voluntary and community sector. I can’t forget
the people who use our services and their families, who took the time to speak openly to the CQC about their experiences.

In April 2023, the CQC were given new powers to inspect councils’ adult social care services as a whole, not just individual providers. This is the first time Torbay has been assessed under that new system.

Adult Social Care in Torbay is delivered by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the council, as part of
our integrated care partnership. That joined-up approach was a real strength in the inspection.

The CQC uses four ratings: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. Torbay was rated ‘Good across every single area.’ That’s something we can all be proud of.

Inspectors highlighted the support we give to unpaid carers, our emergency duty services, the help available for people with mental health needs, and the way health and care services work together around the individual. This result is a testament to
an enormous amount of hard work, often carried out quietly and under pressure, on top of already demanding jobs.

Staying with health, I want to highlight our Director of Public Health’s annual report, which was launched this week and focuses on healthy ageing.

Torbay is one of the fastest-ageing areas in England. Today, more than one in four of our residents are over 65. By 2043, that will be closer to one in three. In many ways, this is good news. People are living longer, and many of us live up to and beyond our 80s in independence and good health. However, this isn’t always the case.

On average, someone aged 65 now can expect a further 11 years of good health. But this varies widely and some of us spend many of our later years in poor health, not able to do the things we enjoy. And there is an inequality here. The more well off we are, the more years, on average, we spend in better health.

Our ambition as a council is simple but important: to help close that health gap and make sure people can thrive at every stage of life.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant’s report looks at what ageing really means in Torbay, the challenges people face as they get older, and what helps people stay well. It also shines a light on some of the brilliant work already happening across the Bay to keep people physically active, mentally engaged and socially connected.

We are fortunate to have so many organisations, volunteers and community groups championing positive ageing. The recommendations are practical and focused. They cover things like age-friendly transport and housing, better support for carers, digital inclusion, and making it easier for older residents to access work, volunteering and community life if they choose to.

Much of this work is already under way. We’re working with Torbay Citizens’ Assembly on the development of Age Friendly Torbay, and we’ve recently renewed our Commitment to Carers to underline our support for unpaid carers who do so much for others.

This year’s annual report is also more accessible than ever. It’s available online with videos and images featuring residents and organisations. There’s an easy-read version co-produced with Torbay Learning Disability ambassadors, alongside a more detailed technical report for those who want to go deeper.

You can read the full report at torbayhealthpartnerships.co.uk/annual-public-health-report-2025/.

Finally, A good CQC rating and a clear, forward-looking public health report tell the same story. When we work together, focus on people, and plan for the long term, Torbay gets better outcomes. That’s exactly the direction we need to keep moving in.