Integrated care pilot programme—UK Department of Health

Abstract

Introduction: The NHS Next Stage Review set the direction for a more locally-driven NHS, with quality as its organising principle. It also highlighted the need for improved integration between health and care services, to improve access to and quality of care within local communities. This was followed, in High Quality Care for All, by a commitment to test and evaluate a range of models of integrated care that should help improve patient, carer and service user outcomes. About the ICP: The programme of integrated care pilots (ICP) has been established to address that need. It is an exciting and innovative way of exploring the benefits that greater integration could deliver for local health and well-being. ICP is designed to examine different ways in which health and social care could be provided to help drive improvements in local health and well-being. It allows communities to take a fresh look at how to deliver such care, based solely around the needs of the local population. The aim is to look beyond traditional boundaries (e.g. between primary and secondary care) to explore whether new, integrated models can improve health and care services. Each pilot will be exploring a new approach to a key health issue within the local community, and seeking to deliver improvements in quality, service user satisfaction and local health and well-being. Although the pilots have designed new models for delivering care, they must also ensure that key features of the current health systems are safeguarded, e.g. choice, competition, and the role of the Primary Care Trust (PCT) as the commissioner of local health services. The pilots will run for two years and will be evaluated over three years against a set of national and local measures. The criteria involved include impact on health outcomes, improved quality of care, service user satisfaction, and effective relationships and systems. ICP sits alongside other programmes, such as practice-based commissioning (PBC), to inspire innovation in service development and to encourage stronger partnership between clinicians and those working in local government and social care. It is an exciting opportunity to help deliver better health, better care and better value for local populations and for taxpayers. The pilot sites: Table 1 summarises information of each of the selected pilot organisations. Table 1. Selected pilot organisations Pilot name Details of pilot Bournemouth and poole teaching pCt this pilot will be exploring a new model for delivering care for older people with dementia, involving collaboration between Gps, public sector organisations and third-sector services. It aims to provide a single point of access to an integrated community team. Cambridge assura LLp this pilot will look at how different organisations across the health, social care and third sectors can better communicate and co-ordinate end-of-life care to enable people to be cared for and die in the place they choose. the pilot will also be improving public and patient engagement to ensure services are fully sensitive to user needs. Church view medical practice this pilot will improve quality of care and experience of services for the area’s population of older people. the local acute trust and Gp practice will work together as an integrated organisation, and will work in partnership with the pCt provider arm, social services and the patient practice group. the pilot will aim to provide an improved, personalised experience through active management of long-term conditions. NHS Cumbria this pilot will be exploring a new approach to helping patients with chronic diseases to manage their own care. It will be focusing on increasing the collaboration between Gp and patient. It will aim to move care into a community setting and reduce hospital admissions. Durham Dales Integrated Care Organisation this pilot will involve seven partner organisations working together to meet the needs of a rural population, provide continuity of care and reduce health inequalities. It will explore a number of different care pathways aiming to improve planning information, move care into a community setting, increase patient/carer satisfaction and reduce hospital admissions.