Integrated Care Systems - BMA briefing

Integrated Care Systems (ICSs)
BMA May 2019

• ICSs are a new way of planning and organising the delivery of health and care services in England. They bring together NHS, local authority, and third sector bodies to take on collective responsibility for the resources and health of the population of a defined area, with the aim of delivering better, more integrated care for patients. The model is seen by NHS leaders as the next step for health and care integration in England, with every area in the country now expected to be covered by an ICS by 2021.
• This briefing sets out BMA policy on ICSs and establishes five principles for ICSs and any other model of integration if they are to be successful. The five principles are:
• ensure the pay and conditions of all NHS staff are fully protected
• protect the partnership model of general practice and GPs’ independent contractor status
• only be pursued with demonstrable engagement with frontline clinicians and the public, and must allow local stakeholders to meaningfully and constructively challenge plans
• be given proper funding and time to develop, with patient care and the integration of services
• prioritised ahead of financial imperatives and savings
• be operated by NHS bodies, free from competition and privatisation

Diagnosis Critical: Launching an inquiry into health and social care

Diagnosis Critical: Launching an inquiry into health and social care in England 
Centre for Progressive Policy*, 5 June 2018

• As part of a larger piece of work looking at the future of health and social care in England, analysis by the CPP finds a direct correlation between the the impact of the current financial pressures in NHS trusts and local authorities and the health of the population.

*The Centre for Progressive Policy is fully funded by Lord David Sainsbury, as part of his work on public policy. 

NHS in the spotlight - highlights week ending 29 March 2018

This week has seen the NHS in the spotlight recently with the publication of the Public Accounts Committee report on NHS sustainability and transformation, Prime Minister’s answers to the Liaison Committee,  Simons Stevens at  the Health Select Committee, and the NHS England Board meeting outlining the ongoing work to integrate NHS England and NHS Improvement.