North central and east London leading the way in health and care devolution

The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt today announced pilots to take the first steps in devolving healthcare powers to leaders in London.

All of London’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), local authorities, the Greater London Authority signed a devolution agreement with the government to take on considerable powers to run health and social care in London.

Five devolution pilots will be launched across London; four of which are within the UCLPartners region in north central and east London:

• Haringey will run a prevention pilot exploring the use of flexibilities in existing planning and licensing powers to develop new approaches to public health issues
• Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge will run a pilot to develop an Accountable Care Organisation, where primary and secondary care are more closely integrated and patient pathways are redesigned with a focus on intervening early and managing the chronically ill
• North Central London (Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington) will run an estates pilot to test new approaches to collaboration on asset use
• Hackney will run a health and social care integration pilot, aiming for full integration of health and social care budgets and joint provision of services. This will also have a particular focus on prevention
• Lewisham will run a pilot seeking to integrate physical and mental health services alongside social care.

UCLPartners is brokering support to the pilots from local, national, and international experts to ensure the forward programme reflects the full ambition for the health and social care system and brings the best solutions to the forefront.

Director of Strategic Development of UCLPartners, Hilary Ross said: “We are excited about this opportunity for the region to focus health and social care on delivering impact for the population alongside system sustainability.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with our partners and supporting the implementation of the pilots and to share the lessons more widely across London. As part of this we have agreed with NHS England, the GLA and London Councils to host an event in the spring to share progress.”

Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said: “There is a huge amount of good practice and innovation in London health and care services – this exciting new deal will help improve services even further for Londoners.

“The pilot areas we have announced today will be trailblazers as we move towards a fully integrated health and care service by 2020.

“By empowering more places in the capital to make the best decisions for themselves we will improve patient experience, and help keep people well for longer.”