Government publishes response to Committee’s Integrated Care Systems report
14 June 2023
The Government Response to the Committee’s report, Integrated Care Systems: autonomy and accountability, has been published today by the Department of Health and Social Care. It also sets out its response to recommendations made in the Hewitt Review, commissioned by the Government.
The Committee’s report, published in March, had called for the Government and NHS England to address key concerns if an opportunity to deliver real change was to be realised. The inquiry, focusing on autonomy and accountability, had found genuine enthusiasm for the potential of ICSs to deliver on challenges facing the health and care sectors. However, MPs had warned of a serious lack of clarity in some areas risking acute short-term pressures being given priority over longer term ambitions such as preventing ill-health.
Chair comment
Commenting on the Government’s response Health and Social Care Committee Chair Steve Brine MP said:
“We welcome the Government’s acceptance of the importance of outcomes as a basis for setting targets for ICSs. It is also good to see that preventing ill-health, an ongoing focus of our work, will be at the heart of the Major Conditions Strategy with the recognition of the need to move towards preserving good health.
“However, it’s disappointing that some of our recommendations will not be taken forward. We had called for ICBs to guarantee a seat for a public health representative, but the Government has not changed its position to enforce this where it is not happening.
“We remain concerned about the Government’s lack of clarity about what the new joined-up systems should be delivering. Without this, it will be difficult to measure their success and ensure accountability in future.”