The website of the Clinical Services Journal

The new health and care landscape

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the Health and Care Bill and what it will mean in terms of healthcare delivery – from integration of care systems to new ways of working.

The Health and Care Bill is on its way through the parliamentary process, very quietly. It will, if enacted, change the face of the NHS organisations we work for quite fundamentally. The integrated care systems emerged from the sustainability and transformation partnerships and are thus designed from the bottom-up, rather than the other model of top-down imposition. Does this mean they are better? We shall have to see...Essentially, the Bill as proposed, has removed the element of competition between providers and the key words, which relate to this brave new world, are ‘collaboration’ and ‘integration’.

The opportunity for development of the system was seen clearly during the pandemic, when local organisations worked effectively together across boundaries to deliver what the population and the emergency needed. In the cool light of day, can we rely on those collaborations to deliver what is promised and necessary? Health and Social Care are complicated and the years of competition between organisations have led to very individualistic attitudes to other providers, which may take some time to change. 

The culture in healthcare is very much people based; an essential element is having relationships with others in order to effect an action, which may be slightly outside the ‘norm’. As demonstrated also during the pandemic, that there was no relationship between healthcare organisations and care homes, so rather than discussion taking place as to the possibility of patients with COVID-19 being discharged from acute care, and appropriate solutions being found, patients were discharged in the panic and a devastating situation ensued. 

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025