New Ways of Working to Manage and Improve Quality in Integrated Care Systems in England
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Health Policy and Management, researchers examined how Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in England are managing and improving the quality of health and care services. The study, titled “New Ways of Working to Manage and Improve Quality in Integrated Care Systems in England,” was co-authored by Harriet Hay and Sarah Gunn from Picker, and formed part of a collaboration under our Quality, Safety and Outcomes of Health and Social Care Policy Research Unit, as well as the QSO PRU collaboration for 2019-2023.
The research highlights several innovative approaches adopted by Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to enhance service quality:
- Establishment of Quality Governance Structures: Integrated Care Systems have implemented new frameworks to oversee and ensure the quality of care provided.
- Development of Quality Strategies: These strategies focus on population health and addressing health inequalities, aiming for a holistic improvement in care delivery. New and relevant metrics were required for assessing quality and outcomes across systems. A need was also identified for greater co-production and collaboration, for example by involving patients and communities in the planning and delivery of future services to ensure care is responsive to their needs.
The study concludes that these initiatives represent a shift from traditional approaches to more collaborative and person centered models of care. This transformation requires a long-term commitment to improving population health and reducing inequalities.
Funding statement: This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme, conducted through the Quality, Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit (PR-PRU-1217-20702). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
