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- Talk
- 21/09/2022
- UK
Medical Director NHS England South West Region & Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Description
In this presentation, Vinay Takwale discusses his reflections on the Integrated Care System (ICS) following a noteworthy incident where a job candidate misunderstood ICS as the national cricketing standards during an interview. He emphasizes the importance for frontline clinicians to have a comprehensive understanding of the ICS, as many decisions made at this level significantly impact their professional practice. Takwale outlines the structure of the NHS, explaining the financial flow from the national level down to regional Integrated Care Systems and how the distribution of funds supports various components including urgent care.
He defines the ICS as a collaborative effort where multiple healthcare providers work together instead of functioning in silos, highlighting the necessity for cooperation between primary care, mental health services, and social care. Takwale informs the audience about the geographical disparities and demographic differences across the 42 ICS regions in the UK. He raises concerns regarding the shifting responsibilities within the NHS and the impact of budget cuts at higher levels, urging clinicians to engage more at the regional level to influence healthcare delivery.
Throughout the talk, he stresses the evolving role of regions that now pivot towards coordinating support and oversight rather than merely enforcing accountability and performance measures. Takwale also draws attention to the regional medical directorate's role in overseeing various clinical networks and standards, and how these aspects directly intersect with surgical practices.
He presents challenges faced within the South West region's approach to elective surgeries and inquiries about integrating virtual care pathways. Emphasizing the need for cross-functional programs, Takwale encourages clinicians to actively contribute to ICS discussions to address gaps in integration between different specialties. He concludes by advising attendees to participate in local and regional clinical programs centered around population health management, placing emphasis on the necessity for orthopedic surgeons to be represented in leadership roles within clinical councils.