Local Healthier Together Partnership becomes ‘Integrated Care System’

The Healthier Together Partnership for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) has achieved formal ‘Integrated Care System’ status, reflecting the huge efforts made by local organisations and health and care staff to collaborate in recent years.

10 organisations – including NHS Trusts, councils, the ambulance services, commissioners and community providers – make up the Healthier Together partnership, which was established in 2016. In recent years, the partnership has been working closely together to break down the barriers between primary, secondary, mental health and social care and ensure that everyone in the local area receives joined-up support that meets their individual needs.

All health and care systems in the country are expected to achieve ICS status by April 2021, in line with NHS England’s national Long Term Plan.

Robert Woolley and Julia Ross, Chief Executives at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and BNSSG Clinical Commissioning Group respectively; and executive co-leads of Healthier Together, said:

“We are delighted to have achieved official Integrated Care System (ICS) status in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Over the last few years, the ten organisations in our Healthier Together partnership – including NHS Trusts and Local Authorities – have been working together to join services up around people’s individual needs, and break down the barriers between primary, secondary, mental health and social care.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on what we have done so far, and continue to improve services and experience for everyone in our area. It is also a testament to the skill and dedication of our fantastic health and care workforce, whose commitment to collaboration has shone through during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are looking forward to working with local people, health and care staff, communities, voluntary groups and others as we continue on our journey to ensure sustainable, high quality care for everyone in BNSSG.”