Integrating NHS care: lessons from the frontline

This paper explores examples of how integrated care is already being achieved in the NHS as a guide for health care policy makers.

This briefing paper reports on a series of seminars held at the Nuffield Trust in February and March 2008. To explore experience in the NHS in integrating care. The paper identifies the lessons to emerge from the examples presented at the seminars, and the implications for the NHS in the context of the Darzi review. The aim of this briefing is to suggest the practical steps that need to be taken to achieve closer integration of care on the ground.

These were:

• Integrated care for people with diabetes - The Bolton Story. Exploring the facilitators and barriers to clinical integration by drawing on the experience of managers and clinicians who are already working in this way. Presented by John Dean, Consultant Diabetologist, Bolton PCT with Chris Ham facilitating.
• Clinically Integrated Systems: Working together for health in Birmingham: Adapting lessons from Kaiser Permanente. Exploring the facilitators and barriers to clinical integration by drawing on the experience of managers and clinicians who are already working in this way. Presented by Andrew Donald, Birmingham East & North PCT, and Hugh Rayner, Heart of England NHS FT
• The Epsom Downs integrated care service - Moving services out of hospital from primary care. Exploring the facilitators and barriers to clinical integration by drawing on the experience of managers and clinicians who are already working in this way. Presented by Tim Richardson.