County Council approves NHS Integrated Care System - despite its own scrutiny committee and the public showing overwhelming opposition

Last month, there were real concerns around plans to 'integrate' the County's care and health systems:
Futures Forum: Demonstration at Devon County Council - against NHS Integrated Care System >>> Thursday 22nd March

This was despite assurances from the head of the County's clinical commissioning groups:
Devon health authority moves to ‘bust the myths’ about integrated care systems | Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe News - North Devon Gazette

However, the County Council's Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee unanimously voted to record the Committee’s concerns over the emerging Devon Integrated Care System until assurances are provided on governance, funding, the future of social care from a democratic perspective:
Councillors put the brakes on health care changes in Devon - Devon Live

The recommendations were put together by independent Cllr Claire Wright who sits on the committee:
Devon’s NHS asked to provide a range of assurances on controversial new integrated care system - Claire Wright

However, by the time the proposals came to the council's cabinet last week, it was clear that they would not be accepted - and that there would be a lot of politics to be had:

Senior councillor apologises for accusing rival over plans to create new health umbrella organisation - Devon Live 

And so, the proposals were turned down:
Devon County Council Cabinet rejects own health watchdog’s recommendations on new care system - Claire Wright

DCC cabinet refuses to accept decision of Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee and rushes in Accountable Care Organisation without checks and balances | East Devon Watch

Here's the report from the weekend's Devon Live: 

  

Devon health campaigners question county’s approval of integrated care system

PUBLISHED: 09:00 19 April 2018

Tony Gussin

Integrated care systems were debated at County Hall in Exeter. Picture: Terry Ife

County councillors have voted to approve closer working between health and social care services.

On Wednesday Devon County Council’s cabinet approved the development of an integrated care system in conjunction with Northern, East and West Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

It said the idea was to bring organisations closer together where appropriate to share services, budgets, staff and resources to provide a better service for Devon residents.

But health campaigners from Save Our Hospital Services Devon have accused the council of ‘a lack of democracy’ after it overturned recommendations from its health scrutiny committee to defer the plans.

The scrutiny committee had concerns over how the new system would be governed, a lack of public consultation and had called for assurances it would not lead to ‘deeper cuts’ to services.

A report to cabinet said the system would be formed of a single integrated strategic commissioner, a number of local care partnerships, a mental health care partnership and shared NHS corporate services.

The CCG had previously told the Gazette that how it works is commissioners and providers of acute hospital and community services, primary care, mental health and social care will work increasingly in partnership to plan, finance and run services.

SOHS campaigners have said they fear it could be the start of an ‘American style’ system but the CCG has said there is ‘no question’ of privatisation.

At the cabinet meeting, Barnstaple county councillor Brian Greenslade said: “The principles of ICS I have not got an issue with, I think that’s the way to go – what I have an issue with is the speed that it’s suddenly appearing on the agenda.”

Sue Matthews of SOHS challenged DCC and the CCG to debate it at a public meeting. She said: “I am appalled at the lack of scrutiny as exercised by this cabinet decision. The CCG are obliged to carry out public consultation before effecting major changes. This rush to adopt an American style of management structure is fraught with dangers and the unwillingness to answer basic questions.”

Previously, Dr Nick Roberts, chief officer at Devon’s two CCGs, had said this was a ‘fully open process in line with national policy’.

He said it was: “Working together to provide a more seamless health and care system, so that patients are not caught up between different organisations, is the best way to deliver modern, sustainable healthcare.”

Devon integrated care system approved | Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe News - North Devon Gazette
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