Trusts are forging ahead with ambitious plans to work together to deliver better care for patients.

A report by NHS Providers, Providers deliver: collaborating for better care features 14 innovative cases studies which showcase successful cooperation between providers in the acute, mental health, community and ambulance sectors, working together and with local partners.

The case studies provide a striking insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the drive towards collaboration both within and across integrated care systems (ICSs), with providers and wider system partners supporting each other during an incredibly challenging time.

The report sets out factors that can help or hinder that collaboration and outlines the support trust leaders need next from national NHS leaders.

Key ingredients for successful provider collaborations include:

• strong leadership
• a clear shared vision
• time and patience to build relationships and embed new ways of working.

Providers deliver: collaborating for better care also offers valuable understanding into the unequal impact of the pandemic on minority groups and communities and the way in which trusts and their partners have adapted and innovated to tackle health inequalities in the wake of COVID-19.

This report signals the launch of a new support programme from NHS Providers on provider collaboratives, which will give trusts invaluable access to best practice and peer to peer learning as they seek to navigate the new health landscape.

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Each and every one of these case studies clearly demonstrates the steadfast commitment of trust leaders and their partners to deliver better care for their patients and their communities.

The case studies also show the innovative work being done to drive forward digital and clinical partnerships, and to address inequalities.

Saffron Cordery    Interim Chief Executive

"As well as outlining in vivid detail how pandemic pressures spurred provider collaboration on workforce, personal protective equipment and other equipment, the case studies also show the innovative work being done to drive forward digital and clinical partnerships, and to address inequalities.

"Ahead of the publication of the Health and Care Bill, there are still a number of details trust leaders want ironed out to ensure provider collaboratives are the success everyone wants them to be.

"Providers want a flexible national policy and legislative framework that will build on, rather than disrupt, existing arrangements, and if we want providers to come together and to deliver on the ambitions that are expected of them, they must be appropriately resourced.

"They will also require ongoing support to share best practice and learn from peers. For this they can count on NHS Providers to play its full part as its provider collaboratives support programme takes shape in the coming months."