Designing integrated care systems (ICSs) in England

The NHS Long-Term Plan set the ambition that every part of the country should be an integrated care system by 2021.

It encourages all organisations in each health and care system to join forces, so they are better able to improve the health of their populations and offer wellcoordinated effcient services to those who need them.

This overview is for all the health and care leaders working to make that ambition a reality, whether in NHS acute or primary care, physical or mental health, local government or the voluntary sector.

It sets out the different levels of management that make up an integrated care system, describing their core functions, the rationale behind them and how they will work together.