Integrated care

Our work on joined-up health and care services

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

Integrated care systems represent a fundamental and far-reaching change in how the NHS works across different services and with external partners. This report is based on interviews with eight of the ‘first wave’ ICSs to understand how they are developing and to identify lessons for local systems and national policy-makers.

Joined-up listening: integrated care and patient insight

In this article, we articulate the opportunity that integrated care presents for using insight from people and populations to design services that meet their needs and reflect their priorities.

Making sense of integrated care systems, integrated care partnerships and accountable care organisations in the NHS in England

NHS England has recently changed the name of accountable care systems to integrated care systems. Our updated long read looks at work underway and makes sense of all the terminology.

Sam's story teaser

Joined-up care: Sam's story

Why does integrated care matter? And what does it mean for patients? This short animation brings integrated care to life.

Improving health in urban communities

The NHS long-term plan explained

On 7 January, the NHS long-term plan was published setting out key ambitions for the service over the next 10 years. In this explainer, we set out the main commitments in the plan and provide our view of what they might mean, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for the health and care system as it moves to put the plan into practice.

Christie Watson: reflections on the NHS

Writer and former nurse, Christie Watson, talks about her experience working in the NHS, how demand has changed in recent years and the importance of public health and integrated care – along with the changes she thinks are necessary.

Community health services explained

Community services play a key role in keeping people well, treating and managing acute illness and long-term conditions, and supporting people to live independently – and yet they are poorly understood compared to other parts of the NHS. In this explainer we set out what community services are, the challenges faced and how they're changing.

Stephen Rosenthal and John Williford on the Montefiore health system

Stephen Rosenthal and John Williford talk about the approach of the Montefiore health system, and why their integrated approach to health care has been so successful.

2019: handling the uncertainty

Richard Murray reflects on the opportunities and challenges that 2019 may bring, as well as the need for flexibility in the face of uncertainty.

What’s in store for health and care?

Delivering integrated care: learning from experience

Integrated care systems and patient insight

As the health and social care system moves towards greater integration, the people best placed to tell us whether it is working are those it serves. We are looking to develop ways for integrated care systems to listen to and work with patients and users.

Shared responsibility for health: the cultural change we need

We believe that the relationship between the public and the NHS, and between patients and the staff who care for them, needs to be transformed. As well as ensuring that the resources (funding and workforce) needed to deliver care are available, national and local leaders must work to fully engage patients and the public in improving health and care.

Co-ordinating care for high-cost, high-need patients

Chris Ham considers the care models for patients with complex needs presented at the Commonwealth Fund International Symposium, and argues that clinical teams need time and resources to effectively co-ordinate the care they provide.

Donna Hall

Donna Hall: the Wigan story

The Wigan Deal is a social contract between the council and the community — a partnership between citizen and state. Chris Ham talks with Donna Hall, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, about what happened in Wigan.

Towards population health systems: what next?

Round two for STP plans: a fresh start or a dangerous distraction?

A new round of planning for sustainability and transformation partnerships must allow for greater collaboration between key stakeholders to bring about real improvements in population health.

Meeting the changing needs of people living with cancer: evolution of the cancer pathway

What should the NHS long-term plan say about STPs and ICSs?

Is the integration of health and social care moving too fast for the current legal framework? Chris Ham identifies five steps to support the continuing transformation by aligning regulation, policy and practice.

Developing governance to support integrated care: a bumpy ride?

One year on from the introduction of integrated care systems in England, we know that their success depends on local factors. Matthew Kershaw identifies three further key issues that offer wider learning on governance.

London must grasp opportunity to improve health and care services, says new report

The capital’s complex and cluttered health and care system is hampering plans to improve Londoners’ health, according to a new independent report from The King’s Fund.

The puzzle of STPs in London

Why are London’s sustainability and transformation partnerships trailing behind those in other places? Chris Ham highlights some answers and recommendations in our new report.

Sustainability and transformation partnerships in London: An independent review

Our report, commissioned by the Mayor of London, reviews the progress made over the past year by London's five sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs).

Integrated care and partnership working reading list

A selected list of references held by The King's Fund library.

Integrated care: commissioning and contracting reading list

A selected list of references held by The King's Fund library.