Integrated care systems: how are they emerging in England?

There is growing interest in developing integrated care systems (ICSs) as a way to integrate care and improve population health. NHS England has outlined ambitions for sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) to evolve into ICSs. Eight areas of England have been identified to lead their development.  

But what is happening in the areas developing ICSs, and what can others learn from their experiences?  

The aim of this work is to bring together information on how ICSs are developing in England; identify learning for local and national leaders; share examples of good practice; and highlight issues that need to be resolved to support their development.  

The project involves three main components: 

• reviewing plans from areas developing integrated care systems 
• conducting interviews with leaders and other local stakeholders from these areas to explore how plans are being developed and implemented in practice  
• comparing approaches across the different areas to identify learning for others. 

The final report was published in summer 2018.

Read the report: A year of integrated care systems: reviewing the journey so far