Hewitt Review of Integrated Care Systems Published

The Department for Health and Social Care announced the publication of the final report of the independent review into integrated care systems (ICSs) on 4 April. 

ICSs bring together NHS, local government, social care providers, charities and other partners.

The Health and Social Care Secretary commissioned former Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt to lead the independent review in November 2022, asking her to consider how the oversight and governance of these systems can best enable them to succeed. 

The review covered ICSs in England and the NHS targets and priorities for which integrated care boards (ICBs) are accountable, including those set out in the government’s mandate to NHS England. 

Drawing on the insights of leaders from across the NHS, local government, social care providers, the charitable and the voluntary and social enterprise sector, the review looked at how best to empower local leaders to focus on improving outcomes for their populations.

Organisations representing patients, as well as experts in academia and think tanks, also fed into a call for evidence that received more than 400 responses.