New Government White Paper on the Future of the NHS
Earlier this month, the Health and Social Care Secretary introduced a government white paper identifying proposed changes to the NHS.
Integration and Innovation
The new White Paper, 'Integration and Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all', is intended to encourage greater integration and collaboration at a local level between health services and local government, whilst also increasing accountability to the government.
It is intended to facilitate improved integration at two levels:
- Encouraging greater collaboration within the NHS
- Requiring greater collaboration between the NHS and local authorities
The proposals aim to establish two new Integrated Care Systems organisations in each part of England:
- An ICS Health and Care Partnership, incorporating the NHS and local government and other relevant bodies, such as voluntary organisations, to 'bring together systems to support integration and develop a plan to address the systems' health, public health and social care needs.'
- An ICS NHS Body responsible for the day-to-day running of the ICS.
The Health and Social Care Secretary described the new structure as "a more joined-up approach, built on collaborative relationships".
Accountability to government
The white paper further proposes to provide the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care with 'intervention powers with respect to relevant functions of NHS England. This will support the Secretary of State, when appropriate, to make structured interventions to set clear direction, support system accountability and agility, and also enable the government to support NHS England to align its work effectively with wider priorities for health and social care.'
Future proposals, planned for later this year, will address reforms in mental health, adult social care and public health.
Reponses to the proposals
The Chief Executive of the NHS, Sir Simon Stevens is reported as commenting that, "the proposals are designed to be flexible, allowing the health and care system to continue to evolve, and are designed to better equip the NHS ad local health services to meet the longer-term health and societal challenges over the coming decades."
The NHS Confederation, whilst welcoming greater collaboration and partnership working, has expressed concern as to the proposed new powers for the Secretary of State and the move towards greater centralisation of control.
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