Integrated care systems are geographically based partnerships that bring together providers and commissioners of NHS services with local authorities and other local partners to plan, co-ordinate and commission health and care services. All parts of England are now covered by 1 of 42 ICSs. The statutory ICS came into force on 1 July 2022 and is made up of two key bodies – an integrated care board (ICB) and integrated care partnership (ICP). ICSs are underpinned by joint working at ‘place’ level through ‘place-based partnerships’ involving NHS organisations, local authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations and local communities across a smaller footprint than an ICS, often based on the area covered by a local authority.

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