• The Health and Social Care Committee publishes new report on integrated care
• The report concludes that the case for change has not been explained clearly or persuasively, and that integration is being hampered by current legislation
• We call for a clearer strategy to support the move to integrated care

The Health and Social Care Committee have published a new report on integrated care.

It concludes that the government and the NHS must improve how they communicate reforms to the public. It argues that the case for change has not been explained clearly and persuasively.

The report also adds that further integration of services, and the organisations planning and delivering them, is too often hampered by current legislation.

Responding the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“This is a valuable and timely report which reflects many of the concerns we raised with the committee.

“It highlights the growing tendency to pin performance and financial obligations on STPs, even though they lack the mandate, the means and the legal authority to deliver them.

The report also helpfully identifies the conditions and characteristics required for closer integration, while recognising that some areas have been able to move ahead much more quickly than others.

Saffron Cordery    

“The report also helpfully identifies the conditions and characteristics required for closer integration, while recognising that some areas have been able to move ahead much more quickly than others.

“We agree with the committee that much of the debate around accountable care organisations (ACOs) has been confused and misleading.

“We need a clearer strategy to support the move to integrated care.

“The forthcoming long term funding settlement presents a good opportunity to invest in transforming the NHS, adapting it to meet the changing needs of local communities.”