Madam Deputy Speaker, with permission, I'd like to make a statement on the Integration White Paper.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a living example of the importance of working together as one.
Whether it's the extraordinary success of the vaccination programme…
…or the work to identify and protect the most vulnerable…
…we were at our best when we were working across traditional boundaries towards a common goal.
We must learn the lessons of the pandemic, and channel this spirit of collaboration.
Although huge progress has been made in bringing together our health and care services and local government…
…our system often remains fragmented…
…and too often fails to deliver joined up services that meet people's needs.
Thanks to incredible advances in health and care, people are enjoying longer life expectancies…
…but may be living with more complex needs for longer.
Navigating a complex health and care system to meet those needs can be hard…
…especially when services are often funded, managed and delivered separately.
People too often find that they are having to force services to work together…
…rather than experiencing a seamless, joined-up health and care journey.
If we're to succeed in our goals of levelling up our nation…
…then we must keep working to make integrated health and care a reality across England.
Today we're publishing the Integration White Paper, which shows how we will get there.
It is the next step in our ambitious programme of reform.
Building on the Health and Care Bill and Social Care Reform White Paper…
…which this Government introduced to the House in December and September.
This White Paper has been shaped by the real-world experience of people…
…as well as nurses, care workers and doctors on the front line…
…drawing on some of the great examples of collaborative working we've seen, particularly during the pandemic.
It will help make health and care systems fit for the future…
…boost the health of local communities…
…and make it easier to access health and care services.
It's a plan with people and outcomes at its heart.
No more endless form-filling…
…no impenetrable processes…
…and no bureaucracy which sees too many people getting lost in the system…
…not receiving the care they need.
First, Madam Deputy Speaker, we will ensure strong leadership and accountability…
…which is critical to delivering integration.
Local leaders have a unique relationship with the people they serve.
Our plans will bring together local leaders to deliver on shared outcomes…
…all in the best interests for their local communities.
And encourage local arrangements that provide clarity over health and care services in each area…
…including aligning and pooling budgets.
This is an arrangement that has already been successfully adopted in several local areas.
We have suggested a model that meets these criteria, and we expect areas to develop appropriate arrangements by Spring of next year.
Local NHS and local authority leaders will be empowered to deliver against these outcomes…
…and will be accountable for delivery and performance against them.
They will be supported by a new national leadership programme…
…addressing the skills required to deliver effective system transformation and strong local collaboration.
Madam Deputy Speaker, integration supports transparency.
Joining up NHS and Local Authority data means we can provide better insights to local people about how their area's health and care services are performing.
And with access to
