healthcare update - issue 10

Integrated care pilots - widening the net

Following the launch of the two-year pilot programme which focused on the evaluation and testing of various models of delivering integrated care in April 2009, the 16 Integrated Care Pilots (ICPs) began the process of testing their individual methods of integrated service provision. Each of the sixteen pilots took a different approach from the other pilot programmes, and the initial stages of this programme have been successful.

The Department have now announced that the number of original ICPs (16), would be expanded so as to enable the knowledge and experience gained in the original pilot programme to be shared and built on, with a view to exploring further the possibilities available (including those identified by projects that are taking place outside the remit of the national programme) for delivering safe and effective integrated care.

How will the pilot programme expand?

The expansion of this programme intends to provide a wider base for knowledge-sharing and a support network for integrated care projects. The original two-year period for the project remains, and it is still intended that this programme will end in March 2011.

When the pilot scheme ends in 2011, the national programme will gather the knowledge gained by all the participating trusts, for use in developing the effective delivery of care in the future. The Department has set out in its press release of 2 February 2010 that “the participating sites will identify best practice and help sustain integrated services for the local community long after the pilot scheme is over”. The expansion of this programme provides an opportunity for trusts which were not one of the first wave of pilot trusts, to become involved now, and to feed into the process for developing effective care delivery going forward.

There is no limit to the number by which this project can expand, but the Department are particularly interested in innovative projects. The Department has suggested that “the most ambitious projects will not just be looking at integration within the health service or between health and social care, but might incorporate other sectors such as education, criminal justice [and] housing”[1]. There has also been an indication that projects focusing for example on children’s services would be particularly welcome.

An opportunity to address local issues?

You may be aware that there has been increased publicity in connection with safeguarding procedures recently, particularly in relation to the provision of services to children. Children’s Services in the Midlands has been the subject of some scrutiny of late, and it is clear that there is a consensus that improvements are necessary. Although some improvements have already been recommended, involvement in the extended ICP programme may provide a welcome means of sharing the knowledge and experiences of other trusts, authorities and organisations nationally.

Whilst a decision has been taken by one local authority to postpone its involvement in a similar pilot scheme focusing on social work, much work has already gone into preparing for the commencement of this project.

There are clearly opportunities locally to develop a support network for integrated care projects, both across trusts, and between trusts and local authorities, and other organisations, and participation in the extended ICP scheme is worth considering.

It is not yet known the extent to which the pilots will be mirrored within the wider Total Place initiative or indeed the 'co-operative proposals' suggested by the Conservatives but it is clear that integration across a range of publicly funded functions will gather momentum as government departments look to achieve the operational efficiencies demanded by the Treasury whilst grappling with new and complex models of governance which will emerge during this process. Nor is it known whether this proposal will re-invigorate integrated children’s trusts – in view of the limited timescale for the pilots, the latter is unlikely.

Next steps

For those who are interested in participating in the extended programme, the self-assessment tool which is now available on the Department website should be completed so as to determine eligibility to participate.

If you have any queries, or would like to discuss issues that may be related to the provision of integrated care, please get in touch.

[1] DH Gateway Reference: 13542

talk to us

Joanne Cox 0121 237 4583 Solicitor

Melanie Print 0121 237 4582 Partner