Summary
The Place-Based Health Commission was convened by the New Local Government Network (NLGN) and Collaborate. The following report, from NLGN and Collaborate, takes a fresh alternative view of the future of health and care, re-imagining what might be achievable if “place-based” solutions were adopted more radically. It helps readers entertain a “what if” thought experiment, whereby preconceptions about existing healthcare services and institutions (and their traditional priorities) might be suspended temporarily. It also examines the barriers which need to be reduced in order to facilitate local outcome-focused collaboration.
Four localities participated in this report: Birmingham, Sunderland, Suffolk and Sutton.
Reference
Get well soon: reimagining place-based health. The Place-Based Health Commission. London: New Local Government Network (NLGN) [and] Collaborate, March 10th 2016.
On the Primary Care Vertical Integration Pilot (in Wolverhampton)
Possibly of interest, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) is working with three Wolverhampton GP practices to integrate these practices, with a view to increasing access to services, providing better care and reducing bureaucracy between the surgeries and the hospital. The relevant practices are:
- Alfred Squire Road Health Centre.
- Lea Road Medical Practice.
- MGS Medical Practice (Bradley Health Centre, Low Hill Health Centre, Ruskin Road Surgery).
Reference
Mahmud, S. (2016). Primary Care Vertical Integration Pilot. Wolverhampton: Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, February 29th 2016.
Meanwhile, New Cross Hospital’s £38 million Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit opened in April 2016 and combines urgent and emergency care. West Midlands Doctors Urgent Care (WDUC) operates this service, the West Midlands 111 service and a GP out-of-hours service.
Reference
New Urgent Care Centre opens at New Cross Hospital. Wolverhampton: Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, April 1st 2016.
An NHS Confederation case study on this model for integrating primary and secondary care:
Reference
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust: Integrating primary and acute care. London: NHS Confederation [and] The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, June 14th 2016.
More recent local developments, following the Accountable Care Organisations (ACOs) model:
Reference
Wolverhampton moves towards Integrated Healthcare Provision. Wolverhampton: Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, September 21st 2016.
Strategic Outline for Wolverhampton Accountable Care System
March 2017 update:
Reference
The Wolverhampton Accountable Care System: strategic outline case. March 2017. Wolverhampton: Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust [and] EY, March 30th 2017.
June 2017 Update: Accountable Care Systems Announced (NHS England)
Eight or nine accountable care systems (ACSs) have been announced, which will integrate services from local NHS organisations, social care services and the voluntary sector. This development is the biggest initiative on integrating care in any major western country.
Nine areas in England, covering seven million people, will be better served by:
“ …nationwide action to provide joined up, better coordinated care breaking down the barriers between GPs and hospitals, physical and mental healthcare, social care and the NHS”.
Reference
NHS moves to end “fractured” care system. [Online]: NHS England, June 15th 2017.
Great Pie in the Sky (UFO/ACO Conspiracy)?
Surreal parallels (a gentle send-up):
Reference
Patterson, J. (2017). ACO sightings dismissed as hoax. London [Online]: NHSNetworks, August 24th 2017.
Generalisable Insights From New Zealand?
An account of possible lessons for the NHS to be learned from New Zealand’s Canterbury health system:
Reference
Charles, A. (2017). Lessons on developing accountable care systems from New Zealand. London: King’s Fund, August 2017.
