Patricia Hewitt’s independent review into Integrated Care Systems (ICS) has been published, the Government has today announced.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, commissioned Hewitt to chair the review in November 2022, asking her to explore how the oversight and governance of ICSs can best equip them for success.
The review identifies six key principles to enable ICS success, including:
- Collaboration within and between systems and national bodies;
- A limited number of shared priorities;
- Allowing local leaders the space and time to lead;
- The right support;
- Balancing freedom with accountability;
- Enabling access to timely, transparent and high-quality data.
The Hewitt Review drew upon the expertise and insight from across NHS, local government, social care and voluntary sectors, with patient representative organisations, academic experts and independent think tanks also adding their input to the call for evidence, which received more than 400 responses.
Commenting on the report, Hewitt said: “It was an enormous privilege to undertake this review, published today. Integrated Care Systems represent the best opportunity in a generation for the urgently needed transformation that we need in our health and care system. Everyone wants them to succeed.
“To fulfil their potential, however, we need not only to back our new structures, but also to change our culture. Everyone needs to change, and everyone needs to play their part. My recommendations are intended to help the health and care system make those changes – and I hope that ministers, NHS England and others will feel able to take them forward.”
NHS Providers’ Chief Executive, Sir Julian Hartley, praised the review’s focus on prevention and health improvement in addition to the effects of inequality, racism and discrimination. He also positively noted the review’s recommendations for multi-year funding and increasing the public health grant allocation, amongst other things.
Hartley also expressed some concerns however, particularly on the possibility of the some of the recommendations adding more complexity and bureaucracy as well as worries that trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICB) won’t be able to work as equal partners whilst ICBs have day-to-day oversight of providers.
Read the full review here.
