Key Points
- The South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) has officially approved the appointment of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust as the neighbourhood integrator for Greenwich.
- This appointment completes the borough-level infrastructure needed for all six SEL ICB boroughs, enabling integrated neighbourhood health services across south east London.
- The Healthier Greenwich Partnership, involving the council, local Trusts, and Community Hospice, will be supported by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in the integrator role, also known locally as the Health Host.
- Integrators provide critical infrastructure to support integrated neighbourhood team working, ensuring services meet local community needs and operate seamlessly across organisational boundaries.
- This effort aligns with the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and London’s Target Operating Model to create proactive, sustainable, and targeted health services at community levels.
- The neighbourhood service will strengthen support for vulnerable groups such as frail residents, fostering joined-up care networks aimed at enabling people to remain well at home and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
- Andrew Bland, Chief Executive of NHS South East London, highlighted the importance of these appointments, indicating the groundwork for bringing more equitable care closer to home is now established.
What is the significance of appointing an integrator for Greenwich’s neighbourhood health service?
As reported by the South East London Integrated Care Board via Selondonics.org, the appointment of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust as the neighbourhood integrator for Greenwich represents a critical milestone in completing borough-level infrastructure within SEL ICB. This means all six boroughs in south east London now have designated integrators, which is essential for delivering neighbourhood health services efficiently and cohesively across the region. This step firmly supports the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and London’s broader strategy for integrated, community-focused health services, aiming to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes for local residents.
Who is responsible for the integrator role in Greenwich and what partnerships are involved?
According to Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust’s announcement, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust assumes the integrator role, locally referred to as the Health Host. They will collaborate closely with the Healthier Greenwich Partnership—a coalition comprising the Royal Borough of Greenwich council, local NHS Trusts, and the Community Hospice. This partnership setup ensures diverse stakeholders are involved in shaping and managing services that are responsive to the unique needs of local communities, thereby facilitating more streamlined, effective health and care coordination at the neighbourhood level.
What functions and responsibilities do integrators hold in the neighbourhood health service?
As outlined by the South East London Integrated Care Board, integrators are organisations appointed within boroughs to provide the foundational infrastructure that enables integrated neighbourhood team working. Their core responsibilities include tailoring services to meet the specific health and social care needs of communities and ensuring smooth operations across organisational boundaries. This role is pivotal in creating cohesive, proactive, and targeted health services focusing on prevention and long-term sustainability. The integrators also support strengthening existing care networks to provide more joined-up care, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly or people who are frail, enabling residents to maintain better health at home and reducing avoidable hospital admissions.
How does the Greenwich neighbourhood health service fit into wider health system plans?
This development fits within the framework of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and London’s Target Operating Model, which together advocate for care models that place individuals and communities at the centre. By aligning with these policies, Greenwich’s neighbourhood health service contributes to a larger vision of health and care integration across south east London. The initiative aims to shift services closer to people’s homes, promoting preventative care, improving patient experience, and enhancing the sustainability of health and social care services.
What are the expected benefits for local residents in Greenwich?
Residents of Greenwich can expect a more joined-up approach to health and social care, especially benefiting those who are frail or have complex needs. Through the integrator model led by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, the health and care partners aim to provide proactive and coordinated services that help people stay well in their own homes. This approach is designed to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and admissions by addressing health needs earlier and more effectively in the community setting, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for local people.
What do leaders say about the progress and impact of integrator appointments in south east London?
Andrew Bland, Chief Executive of NHS South East London, stated:
“We are making great strides towards delivering neighbourhood health services that prioritise local communities. With integrators now in place across all six boroughs, we have established the foundations and are building the relationships needed to deliver proactive, integrated, and equitable neighbourhood health services shaped by local communities.”
He emphasised that integrators provide vital infrastructure, connections, and coordination essential for translating policy into practice and bringing care closer to home. Similar sentiments were echoed by Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, host of the Bromley integrator, who stressed the benefits integrators bring to patients and local healthcare providers through more effective neighbourhood health services.
