An Integrated Care System (ICS) is a partnership of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services, aiming to improve the lives of people who live and work in their area.
ICSs have formally started working this month, replacing the current system of local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) for planning and delivering care in each area. There will be 42 ICSs across England – the local version is called South Yorkshire ICS. You can find out more about ICSs on the NHS website
Healthwatch Sheffield has announced that it will now be working together with similar organisations in South Yorkshire due to the introduction of ICS.
Healthwatch Sheffield says: “This move to a South Yorkshire footprint represents a change to decision-making in health and care services, and we have been working to ensure that we will be able to effectively raise the issues that matter to local people through this larger system. We will be working closely with other local Healthwatches in South Yorkshire during this transition period and beyond.”
Healthwatch Sheffield has recently issued its annual report, entitled ‘championing what matters to you.’
Highlights include:
- Hearing from 2547 people about their experiences of local health and social care services
- Helping 5776 people get the right information and advice about their care
- Amplifying people’s voices through 25 reports and briefings, making sure local people’s views are heard by decision-makers in Sheffield