South East London CCG moves to ICS on 1st July
What is an ICS?
An ICS is a new model, initiated by the NHS, for organising local health and care. ICSs are partnerships between many organisations that meet health and care needs across an area. It enables all services to coordinate and communicate better. This allows for better planning, which in turn, can improve the health of the population and reduce inequalities across the whole area.
On the 1st of July this year, the new South East London Integrated Care System (ICS) will replace the South East London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The South East London ICS brings together local health and care organisations and local councils to design care and improve the health of the population.
ICSs focus on:
- preventing ill health and improving wellbeing – prevention is always better than cure.
- Taking a holistic approach – looking at the whole person, i.e. physical, mental and social.
- Faster access to healthcare and reducing waiting lists.
- Seamless care from one service to another.
Find out more on the NHS England website
The introduction of South East London Integrated Care System (ICS) gives us a unique chance to feed people’s views into the planning and running of services – especially the voices of those who are not being heard now.
How does Healthwatch work with the ICS?
Our Director works with the South East London ICS and other stakeholders to represent all six Healthwatch in South East London (Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark), coordinating our collective intelligence and insight. This means that Healthwatch influence decision making processes, and add value to a wide range of work programmes within the ICS.
Here at Healthwatch Greenwich, we work hard to make sure the views of local people are represented in the new NHS structure. We are committed to playing our part by championing equality and inclusion, and helping services reach every bit of the community. When services listen and act on the experiences of patients and service users, it results in better care.
