Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships that bring together local councils, the NHS, social care providers, and voluntary and community sector organisations to work collaboratively to plan health and care services that meet the needs of their communities.

Building on lessons learnt during the pandemic, ICSs aim to improve population health and healthcare, tackle health inequalities, and help local communities to thrive. 

All parts of England are now covered by one of 42 ICSs. Kingston is part of the South West London Health and Care Partnership. 

Partnership working has been at the heart of Kingston's response to the coronavirus pandemic and the NHS vaccination programme. Our role at KVA is to keep Kingston's VCSE sector informed of key developments, and make sure that people's voices are heard.

 

Useful links for further information

NHS website - What are Integrated Care Systems?

South West London Health and Care Partnership formally designated as an Integrated Care System (April 2020)

Integrating care: Next steps to building strong and effective integrated care systems across England (November 2020)

Healthwatch Kingston’s response to the plan (January 2021)

The Department of Health and Social Care's legislative proposals for a Health and Care Bill: Integration and Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all (February 2021)

South West London Health & Care Partnership: Moving Towards Becoming a South West London Integrated Care System (April 2021)

The King’s Fund - Integrated Care Systems explained: Making sense of systems, places and neighbourhoods (updated May 2021)

The King's Fund - Integrated Care Systems and the health and care bill explained - includes a useful diagram (October 2021) 

 

Useful resources

https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/resources/

NHS video - Strong Integrated Care Systems Everywhere