Description
Lucy Dadge presents a nuanced overview of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) following the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act on July 1st. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the transformative goals of ICS and explains their purpose as partnerships among health and care organizations across the country aimed at improving health outcomes, tackling inequalities, enhancing productivity, and supporting broader social development.
Dadge outlines the challenges facing the healthcare system, namely the growing health disparities between socio-economic classes, the legacies of the COVID pandemic, population growth and aging, and inadequate resources. She advocates for a shift towards collaboration rather than competition among healthcare providers, emphasizing a unified approach to promote better health outcomes.
Furthermore, she details the new two-part statutory system established by ICS, consisting of integrated care partnerships and integrated care boards, which will allocate budgets and commission services. Importantly, she highlights the need to dissolve barriers between commissioners and providers and to encourage a holistic view of health encompassing social determinants.
Dadge concludes by outlining Nottingham and Nottinghamshire's key areas for improving public health, including equitable healthcare access, urgent care enhancements, workforce development, and strategies to manage long waiting times. She stresses that successful implementation requires a collective shift in mindset towards preventative healthcare and collaborative practices.