Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that integrated care systems support the integration of (a) policies, (b) funding and (c) workforces between health and social care sectors.

The Health and Care Act 2022 set up systems and structures to reform how health and adult social care work together by putting partnership at the heart of planning. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for producing a five year joint forward plan with their partner trusts, foundation trusts, local authorities and other members. This plan should have regard to the integrated care strategy produced by the integrated care partnership (ICP). We are aware of 35 integrated care strategies that have been produced by ICPs in England.

We committed in the integration white paper ‘joining up care for people and places’ to review, and where necessary simplify, pooled budget arrangements to promote further integrated funding arrangements. This review is underway.

In July 2022 statutory integrated care systems (ICS) Strategy Guidance recommended ICSs take forward joint workforce planning with Local Authorities as a next step to integrated workforces.