The Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership has become an Integrated Care System (ICS), after its application for ICS status was ratified by NHS England and NHS Improvement.
An ICS is an even closer collaboration of NHS organisations, local councils and other health and care partners, taking collective responsibility for managing resources, delivering effective health and care services and improving the health and wellbeing of the population it serves.
This announcement is recognition of the HCV Partnership’s hard work over the last four years and the significant progress the Partnership has made in developing local health and care services that meet the needs of our population.
The HCV Partnership achieved ICS accreditation because we were able to demonstrate that our organisations share a common goal to improve health and wellbeing in our communities, supported by robust operational and financial plans, and proposals for collective leadership and accountability.
The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, set out a requirement for all sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) to become ICSs by April 2021. The HCV Partnership was one of only four STPs to achieve ICS status in April 2020, joining the 14 ICSs already operating across England. It is expected that the remaining STPs will develop into integrated care systems by April 2021.
Professor Stephen Eames CBE, Independent Chair and System Lead of the HCV Partnership, said: “Our confirmation as an integrated care system is fantastic news and a real testament to the strength of commitment of all of our leaders across our Local Authorities, NHS bodies and other health and care organisations to developing a strong and effective partnership across Humber, Coast and Vale.
“It is a signal of the confidence that the national team has in our Partnership and should be a source of great pride for everyone who is a part of the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership.”
Andrew Burnell, Chief Executive Lead of the HCV Partnership, said: “This is excellent news for the Partnership and for the people living across Humber, Coast and Vale. Working as an integrated care system will enable our local services to provide better and more joined-up care for patients and improve the health and quality of life of local people.”