Integrated care boards (ICBs) are at a crossroads. With capacity becoming thinner each day, and much of the work still to be managed day to day, there are signs of some are becoming overwhelmed.
So, how can ICBs work differently to set themselves up well for the future?
Helen Northall
Collaboration and empowering others may be the answer. National policy direction indicates that over the next few years there will be significant delegation via contracts as integrated health care organisations (IHOs) develop. Taking early steps to collaborate with others, building their knowledge and capability while keeping oversight may be the way forward for now.
Working as a system and considering what others can lead on, developing better ownership of the decisions and outcomes, may help establish new ways of working that enable a step towards the future and helps the ICB keep their head above water.
When considering a new area, existing problem to solve, Medium Term Plan target to meet, consider who else in the system can work on this. Sometimes some resource will need to follow, sometimes there may be a gainshare approach possible with savings made, and sometimes external support might be needed to support initial decision making and development of capability for the future.
The benefits can be significant with providers potentially gaining more buy in to the decisions made about the way forward easing implementation challenges. With the possibility of working with primary care networks, GP federations, trusts, councils, the VCSE sector and other local partners this way of working can support the collaboration needed for future success.
Culture is ‘the way things are done around here’ and starting to shift the culture now in the direction for the future will help ICBs succeed through this challenging period.
When it comes to resolving a problem, meeting a target, or refreshing a plan, think first – who can we collaborate with to share the load.
Develop a facilitative approach – jointly agreeing outcomes but leave the detail of how to get there to those providing services where that is possible.
PCC can support your teams to adopt new ways of working in several ways:
- Action learning set approaches to work on specific areas – embedding the techniques for the future
- Coaching for leaders across the system
- Workshops on strategic commissioning and integrated care delivery, in particular the facilitative commissioning for system accountability session https://pcc-cic.org.uk/events/strategic-commissioning-and-integrated-care-delivery-facilitative-commissioning-for-system-accountability-building-collaboration-across-boundaries/
- Providing expert hands-on support. Where appropriate and possible we add capacity and develop your team at the same time, transferring capability for the future.
Contact enquiries@pcc-cic.org.uk to find out more.
Author: Helen Northall, chief executive, PCC.
