Health and Care Act 2022 – Phase 2

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Post Implementation Review of Health and Care Act 2022 - Phase 2

• IRAS ID

  342864

• Contact name

  Marie Sanderson

• Contact email

  Marie.Sanderson@lshtm.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  The Health and Care Act 2022 (HCA22) has established 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) across England to enable closer coordination between health and care organisations locally. They aim to improve patient experiences and outcomes through more connected, efficient services. Phase 1 of the research has already received approval (IRAS ID: 331742). In Phase 2 of this three-year multi-method research study, we will examine how ICSs are collaborating to design, plan and integrate services. We will evaluate the effects of these changes, particularly for patients. We will tell policymakers and ICSs about successes and problems so everyone can benefit from shared learning.

  Phase 2 (Work Package 3 of the research) will use two case study ICS areas to explore in detail how HCA22 is being operationalised. Each case study will include an ICS, constituent organisations and collaborative structures.

  - In each ICS, we will interview people working in different parts of it and other local organisations, observe ICS meetings and look at the documents they write;
  - In each ICS, we will try and understand impacts for all patients but focus on two groups so we can learn lessons to share: older people with frailty, and children with complex needs. We will hold focus groups with these patients (or their carers) and interview health and care providers for these groups.

  Findings will be shared with policymakers and stakeholders through:
  - Meeting policymakers regularly to tell them our findings and give feedback;
  - Written reports and lay summaries;
  - Events bringing together ICS leaders and policymakers;
  - Working with the funder and our patient and public members to create an accessible summary of findings;
  - Conference presentations and academic publications.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/YH/0176

• Date of REC Opinion

  4 Sep 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion