Integrated care systems seeing progress in collaboration but more transformative work proceeding “at a slower pace”: King’s Fund
There are clear signs that progress is being made as a result of the establishment of integrated care systems (ICSs), a King’s Fund report has suggested.
The report, Realising the potential of integrated care systems, noted that ICSs were created to increase collaboration in the health and social care sector and to enable the NHS, local authorities and other partners to take collective responsibility for improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, delivering better value for money, and driving local social and economic development.
The researchers examined the development of ICSs by assessing their efforts to develop system-wide approaches to the recruitment, training and retention of staff. The findings are based on 24 in-depth interviews with local leaders in four case study sites plus a series of online workshops.
The King’s Fund said: “There are clear signs that progress is being made. We found evidence of ICSs beginning to build a ‘whole-system’ approach to workforce, in which local organisations work together more closely to tackle shared workforce issues and develop new solutions that better meet the needs of the local population. Our research identified several specific ways in which ICSs are enabling this to happen.”
However, it added that, despite these signs of progress, some of the more transformative work planned by ICSs is proceeding “at a slower pace than intended as a result of the extremely challenging circumstances in which ICSs have been introduced”.
The report revealed that there is “widespread concern that ICSs may not achieve their full potential unless more is done to create an environment conducive to their success”.
The authors warned: “The behaviours of national, regional and local leaders will make or break ICSs. There is an urgent need to ensure that accountability arrangements drive behaviours that reinforce system working rather than undermine it. Success depends on supporting people at all levels to think, plan and act in ‘system-focused’ ways.”
Responding to the report, Cllr David Fothergill, Local Government Association social care spokesperson, said: “Councils play an important role in Integrated Care Systems. We’re pleased to see positive examples of good practice in the report of working in a coordinated way to deliver an integrated workforce.
“However, this report highlights the challenges for local government and NHS in terms of rising demand for services and financial pressures. It is also clear that the health and care sector faces a recruitment and retention crisis. With a bigger overall workforce than the NHS, social care also needs a dedicated workforce plan which sits alongside the NHS workforce plan.
“A plan to promote, protect, support and develop careers in social care, alongside better pay, terms and conditions, would both strengthen the wellbeing and recognition of those who work in this essential vocation, as well as benefit the people who draw on care.”
