System Integration and Network Governance in the NHS

Healthcare systems globally have struggled with the challenge of how to integrate health services.

In 2022, the English NHS underwent a historic re-organisation to establish 42 regional Integrated Care Systems (ICS), governed by Integrated Care Boards.

This reform aims to transform how primary, community and secondary health services (such as hospitals) work together to develop preventative services and a stronger focus on public health. To achieve these goals the NHS has also established local Place-based Partnerships (PbP) as a new organisational form, mandated to improve knowledge sharing and co-operation between local services.

However, while there is near universal acceptance of the importance of integrated care, it is less clear how we fund, organise or manage the transition.

The research

Funded by the School for Business and Society and an the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account grant, the SYNC project aims to understand the challenges, opportunities and evolution of Place-based Partnerships within one ICS in North Yorkshire. As project leader Professor Federica Angeli is working closely with the ICS, supported by Professor Ian Kirkpatrick and a PhD student Sara Exall, also a Consultant in Public Health. The research seeks to chart the evolution of the PbP and understand the challenges associated with developing effective leadership capacity that supports integrated care.