'Our Journey Together'

Over the past decade, the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) has been recognised for its collaborative, values‑driven system working. As the ICS concludes in March 2026, partners have reflected collectively on what was achieved, what was learned, and what must be carried forward as stakeholders move forward into the new Norfolk and Suffolk and Essex health and care systems. The report ‘Our Journey Together’: Reflections on our Learning and Legacy from Suffolk and North East Essex ICS brings together the perspectives of local and national stakeholders on the evolution of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System over the last decade.

The report was launched at an event in early March 2026 attended by local stakeholders and featuring speakers from a number of national organisations.  Speaking at the event,  Professor Will Pope, chairman of the new NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB, said: “The strength of collaboration that has developed in Suffolk and north east Essex is a shared achievement only made possible through the contributions of every stakeholder in the system. We need to make time to listen, to learn and to reflect.”

Commenting on the publication of the Learning and Legacy Report, Dr Ed Garratt OBE, who will serve as chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB, said: “The report is an important reminder about what is essential to create high performing local health and care systems. The values of kindness, collaboration and ambition are the starting point, not organisations. Whilst our geography is changing we must be loyal to our values and our learning and legacy.”

Lead author for the report and Integrated Care Partnership Director, Susannah Howard said: “It has been an immense privilege to have been part of ‘Our Journey Together’ in Suffolk and North East Essex over the last decade. Before moving on we have taken time to reflect on what we learned from Suffolk and North East Essex ICS – from what went well, and what didn’t – and from where we felt that we were able to genuinely transform and evolve into a different way of ‘being’ that we believe delivered some good things for local people and communities.”