Joint approach to integration

ADASS and the NHS Confederation have joined forces to advise on the best way to integrate health and social care services.

The organisations are urging service leaders to focus on cultures, behaviours and values instead of formal structures. 

In a joint statement, the two bodies advise leaders to make time to work directly with staff, identify key barriers to change, develop multi-disciplinary teams, and fully develop systems to engage with patients. 

The statement builds on work carried out by ADASS and the NHS Confederation since 2010 on how to integrate services in a way that improves care for patients.

President of ADASS, Peter Hay, said: “As we approach the formulation of the social care white paper and the response to Dilnot we are moving into a critical phase in the development of integrated work with our health service colleagues.  The statement marks a significant step forward in both our organisations’ thinking on the subject, and I commend it to all our health and social care managers up and down the country. 

The statement also provides examples of how integrating care can work locally. 

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