Agenda item

To receive an update on Integrated Care Systems (ICS).

Rachel Lissauer, CCG Director of Integration, introduced the item which provided an update on the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICS). She noted that the government aimed to introduce ICS in April 2022 and that her presentation would focus on the range of different mechanisms and bodies which were being developed locally.

It was noted that the Integrated Care Board would be the NHS statutory body which would take over the key functions of the existing CCG and which would have responsibilities around delivery. It was explained that there would also be an Integrated Care Partnership which would be a statutory committee but would be determined locally, with members from local authorities, the NHS, and possibly others in North Central London (NCL). In addition, it was noted that there would be a Borough Partnership, which would incorporate existing place-based partnerships, and provider collaboratives, to connect provider organisations around delivery.

It was noted that there would be a lot of operational and development work for the ICS which would provide an opportunity to consider what would be most meaningful and to hear from local people; it was highlighted that this would continue after April 2022. Rachel Lissauer explained that there were a number of patient engagement forums in Haringey and that there would be a series of seminars which would allow consideration of and input into the ICS plans. It was highlighted that partners would be important in developing the Borough Partnerships.

Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board enquired whether there had been any feedback from residents so far, whether residents understood the proposed changes, and how it could be ensured that residents’ voices would be included within the ICS. It was also enquired whether private companies could be active and voting members within the ICS governance structure and it was noted that there were a number of concerns if this was possible.

Sarah McDonnell-Davies, CCG Executive Director of Borough Partnerships, stated that it was important to continue to develop the empowerment of communities. It was explained that the NHS, local government, and organisations such as Healthwatch had moved closer in recent years and during the Covid-19 pandemic and that this would continue through ICS; it was added that accountability would also continue to be crucial. It was stated that, through Borough Partnerships, there would be collective responsibility for improving outcomes as well as more diverse and integrated memberships. Sarah McDonnell-Davies, CCG Executive Director of Borough Partnerships, noted the concerns relating to private companies. It was stated that the ICS in NCL was currently a composition of Trusts, primary care, and local government, and that there was a strategy of bringing as much work as possible ‘in house’ within NCL. It was clarified that the ICS proposals did not include any changes to the statutory functions of the Health and Wellbeing Board but that it would be useful to consider how the five NCL Health and Wellbeing Boards worked together to create clear plans and priorities in the wider area.

The Assistant Director for Commissioning noted that there would be a series of ICS seminars over the next six months which would provide an opportunity to discuss the developments and priorities. It was added that the inclusion of the Community Health and Care Advisory Board would also be a helpful way to begin the process of communicating the changes to the public.

Sharon Grant, Haringey Healthwatch Chair, believed that seminars would be useful but that the staff running the system would not be included. She stated that some of the most innovative approaches involved working with staff to improve services. The Chair noted that the formal structures would be more prescribed but that coproduction could be used more flexibly with a wider range of participants.

RESOLVED

To note the update.