Fuller Stocktake report pushes Integrated Neighbourhood Teams

NHS England has published the report from the stocktake of primary care and integrated care systems led by Dr Claire Fuller.

The review assesses how newly formed Integrated Care Systems and primary care could work together and makes a series of local and national recommendations as well as ideas about the future shape of urgent care and the further development of neighbourhood teams.

Dr Fuller said: “Newly formed Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, which should evolve from Primary Care Networks, are perfectly placed to bring together the right partners to tackle people’s overall health and wellbeing needs.

“I am proud that this review has the commitment from everyone working on the ground – all 42 Integrated Care System leaders who are committed to developing local health systems which meet the unique needs of their different populations – it is now for national organisations to offer them further support around workforce, data and estates”.

Integrated Care Systems go live on 1 July and bring together hospital, community and mental health trusts, GPs and other primary care services with local authorities and other care providers.

Responding to the report, Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

"It's reassuring that this report is GP-led and is the product of engagement with many frontline GPs and their teams, as well as with patients who use GP services."

"The report outlines a direction of travel that the College has long advocated, with GPs providing system leadership, supported to work within integrated multi-disciplinary health and care teams to ensure patients receive appropriate and timely care for their health needs, and to provide continuity of care for those who need it most. There is also an important focus on improving the health of communities and on preventing illness.

"Delivering this vision, as the report recognises, will depend on progress being made to expand the general practice workforce, and provide the resources to ensure that GPs and our teams are working in premises that are modernised, digitally-enabled and have the space to accommodate an expanded workforce and diagnostics in the community. To this end, we are encouraged by the recommendation for flexible funding and more support to integrate the new ARRS roles in primary care. The explicit support of the new chief executives of the ICSs for the report is positive, as is the emphasis on changing the long-established tendency to micro-management of frontline services from the centre. ICS leaders have a significant responsibility to ensure that general practice and primary care receive the support and resources that they need to be the foundation of a reformed NHS.

“We need further detail about the proposals around streamlining urgent access. Any new metrics will need to be thought through carefully so they have a positive impact on patient care, and avoid any duplication or perverse incentives across the system. Addressing workforce and workload pressures, improving staff morale and investing in support for change will be particularly key to achieving the report’s aspirations.”