New project to investigate how ICSs address health inequalities

A new research project which aims to understand how Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) have made use of funding targeted to address health inequalities has been launched today.

The project is spearheaded by the NHS Confederation and will be authored by teams at Leeds Beckett University, Clarity and the Care Quality Commission.

It will look at how behavioural factors influenced how targeted funding has been spent, and whether health leaders were able to leverage any additional funds, and how this was achieved.

The project aims to produce a shared understanding of how ICSs can use available funding to address inequalities, enabling improvement and the sharing of innovative approaches across systems.

As well as the report, the team also plan on publishing a toolkit with practical guidance for Integrated Care Boards on how to overcome barriers to invest in impactful action on health inequalities.

Why is this research project being carried out?

Tackling health inequalities is one of four statutory purposes of an ICS. Facilitating a learning system will enable action on health inequalities to be sustained and have a significant impact.

The NHS Confederation says it will support ICSs to understand how to scale innovative approaches, work collaboratively, and model leadership behaviours, so that this funding can be used most effectively.

Matthew Taylor Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation said: “Integrated Care Systems will play a key role in tackling health inequalities and supporting communities to live long, healthy lives.

“I encourage system leaders and health inequalities leads to seize the opportunity to participate in this project, which will support healthcare leaders to adopt best practice and turn the tide on health inequalities.”

Project will interview health inequality and senior system leaders

Professor Mark Gamsu and Professor Anne-Marie Bagnall, who will lead the research, will interview health inequalities leads in Integrated Care Boards (ICB), as well as other senior system leaders.

They said: “We are very pleased to be leading this work on behalf of the NHS Confederation.

“At Leeds Beckett we know that there are many decision makers in integrated care boards who are developing meaningful action plans – but who would benefit from further support with wider cultural, policy and capability challenges.

“Sharing the successes, and challenges, faced by inequalities leads in ICBs will make an important contribution to developing more effective action.”