What now for deprivations of liberty?
What will the effect of the postponement of the Liberty Protections Safeguards be on local authorities? Local Government Lawyer asked 50 adult social care lawyers for their views on the potential consequences.
SPOTLIGHT |
An independent review of integrated care systems (ICSs) led by former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has been published this month to consider how the oversight and governance of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) can “best enable them to succeed”.
ICSs were introduced across England in 2022, bringing the NHS, local government and other partners together to improve the health and care of the people who live and work in their area.
The Hewitt Review, published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), draws on the insights of leaders from across the NHS, local government, social care providers, the charitable and the voluntary and social enterprise sector.
Its proposals include that:
The Hewitt Review comes after an inquiry by the Health and Social Care Committee recently found “genuine enthusiasm” for the potential of Integrated Care Systems to deliver on challenges facing the health and care sectors, but warned of a “serious lack of clarity” in some areas.
The MPs on the committee called on the Government and NHS England to address key concerns if an “opportunity to deliver real change is to be realised”, highlighting the risk that acute short-term pressures could be given priority over longer term ambitions such as preventing ill-health.
The Health and Social Care Committee’s report said it was “vital that the Government and NHS England should not dictate how ICSs deliver local outcomes”.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Integrated care systems are an important part of the government’s plan to deliver more joined-up and effective health and care services, and to cut waiting times for patients, one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities for 2023.”
Patricia Hewitt, said: “Integrated care systems represent the best opportunity in a generation for the urgently needed transformation that we need in our health and care system. Everyone wants them to succeed.
“To fulfil their potential, however, we need not only to back our new structures, but also to change our culture. Everyone needs to change, and everyone needs to play their part.
“My recommendations are intended to help the health and care system make those changes - and I hope that ministers, NHS England and others will feel able to take them forward.”
Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Steve Brine MP said: “We were pleased that the Government commissioned the Hewitt Review, considering similar themes to our own inquiry, and welcome the spotlight that is being shone on ICSs at this early stage in their development. We hope to see this focus maintained and look forward to considering the Review’s findings.”
Commenting on the review, Sarah McClinton, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: “The Hewitt review is spot on, the current sticking-plaster response to health and care crises isn’t working. We need to shift public funds into preventing ill-health on a big scale. That will mean people can get great quality care and support in their communities when they need it before their health deteriorates and they need expensive acute care.
“But you won’t be able to do that without a long-term, fully funded plan to fix adult social care. For decades Government’s have ducked that challenge, and the road has run out now. We need to fix adult social care to ensure our families and friends get the care and support they need in the future. As the Hewitt Review points out, that must include a national workforce strategy to sort the staffing crisis in social care, complementing the one the Government is developing for the NHS.
“And Patricia Hewitt’s prescription of fewer national targets is right. The new local health and care partnerships the Government have set up could transform care for people in their areas, but only if they’re given the freedom to respond to the needs and wishes of the people they serve. Social care, public health and the voluntary sector need to be equal partners at the heart of decision-making which needs to happen closer to communities. People need to be in control of their own care. What we need from the Government is the sustainable funding and backing to improve care and solve the current crises in the NHS and adult social care.”
Lottie Winson