You may have seen the term ICS when reading about NHS and care services. But what does it actually mean?
ICS stands for Integrated Care System.
An Integrated Care System is a partnership that brings together NHS organisations, local councils and other partners to plan and improve health and care across an area.
The idea is simple: by working together rather than separately, organisations can provide more joined-up services based on what local people need.
What does an Integrated Care System do?
Integrated Care Systems work to:
- Improve people's health and healthcare
- Reduce inequalities in health, experiences and access to services
- Make better use of resources
- Support wider social and economic development
An ICS therefore looks beyond hospitals and GP practices. Housing, employment, education, transport and other aspects of our lives can all affect our health, so improving people's health can involve organisations outside the NHS too.
What does joined-up care look like?
Imagine someone is ready to leave hospital but still needs support to recover at home.
Their care could involve their hospital team, GP, community health services, local council and voluntary organisations.
Integrated care is about helping organisations like these work together around the person's needs, rather than different services working separately.
Who is part of an ICS?
An Integrated Care System isn't a single organisation. It's a partnership of organisations, which can include:
- NHS organisations – including hospitals, GPs, mental health and community services
- Local councils – including social care and public health
- Voluntary and community organisations – bringing knowledge of local people and communities
- Social care providers – supporting people to live well and independently
- Other partners – such as organisations working in housing, education and employment
Together, they can look at both healthcare and the wider factors that affect people's health and wellbeing.
What's the difference between an ICS and an ICB?
The names are similar but ICSs and ICBs aren't the same thing.
An Integrated Care System (ICS) is the wider partnership of organisations working together across an area.
An Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the NHS organisation within the system responsible for planning and funding most NHS services.
An easy way to remember it:
ICS = the wider system
ICB = the NHS organisation within it
You can also read our guide to what an Integrated Care Board (ICB) is.
Why do we have Integrated Care Systems?
People may receive care and support from several different services, particularly when living with long-term or complex health conditions.
If those services don't work together effectively, care can become fragmented. ICSs are intended to help organisations coordinate services, focus on prevention and plan around the needs of local communities.
The current statutory ICS arrangements were established in July 2022, following the Health and Care Act 2022.
Where does Healthwatch fit in?
Healthwatch is independent of the NHS. We listen to people's experiences of health and social care to understand what's working well, where there are gaps and where people face barriers to getting the support they need.
By sharing your experience, you can help build a clearer picture of what health and care is really like for local people.
Have an experience you'd like to share?