Supporting the transition to statutory ICSs

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) has published a flotilla of guidance documents designed to support Integrated Care System leadership teams establish integrated care boards by 1 April 2022. The interim guidance aims to provide as much clarity as possible to support ICS teams with managing the transition in time for the April deadline – this is, of course, subject to parliamentary scrutiny as the Health and Care Bill enters the Committee stage on 7 September. All policy documents, guidance and resources can be found on the dedicated ICS Guidance webpage and on NHS Futures platform.

The guidance includes:

Interim guidance on the functions and governance of the integrated care board

This interim guide covers the expected governance requirements for integrated care boards as outlined in the Health and Care Bill and the Integrated care systems design framework. It should read in tandem with the draft ICS model constitution and associated guidance together with the expected list of CCG functions to be conferred on ICBs which will be made available to NHS organisations via the NHS Futures platform.

HR framework for developing integrated care boards

The HR framework provides practical support for NHS organisations affected by the proposed legislative changes as they develop and transition towards the new statutory integrated care boards, including an ICB readiness to operate statement and due diligence statement which are hosted on the NHS Futures platform.

Building strong integrated care systems everywhere: guidance on the ICS people function

This guidance builds on the priorities set out in the People Plan published in July 2020. It is intended to help NHS system leaders and their partners support their ‘one workforce’ by delivering key outcome-based people functions from April 2022.

Over the next couple of weeks our team of integrated care lawyers will be providing commentary on the interim guidance.