The Government has announced a reduction in integrated care board staff numbers and NHS England administrative and managerial staff to redistribute £1 billion a year to frontline care. The moves are part of plans to bring NHS England back into the Department of Health and Social Care within two years.
However, an NHS Confederation report on the state of integrated care systems, published before the announcement, highlighted the positive legacy of integrated health and care in tackling inequalities and improving outcomes.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said that “councils remain committed to working collaboratively with health partners to ensure we retain a steadfast focus on the outcomes needed by the communities we serve, and for people to live healthy and well”.
She added that “the vital role of local government must be recognised” to seize the opportunities in the 10 Year Health Plan for England, including the development of a neighbourhood health service. Strong relationships between local government, health and voluntary and community sector leaders “will be key to its success”.