Lords Committee Launches New Inquir y Examining the Integration of Primar y and Community Care

The crossbench House of Lords special inquiry Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee has published its call for evidence as it launches a new inquiry to consider the integration between primary and community care within the wider health and care system

The Committee, chaired by Baroness Pitkeathley, will explore better ways to integrate the delivery of effective primary and community care services The inquiry will consider the challenges facing the sector and any barriers preventing further integration The success of existing models of integration will be examined including the role of Primary Care Networks and Integrated Care Systems Access to primary and community care services will be considered as well as accountability and decision-making The Committee expects to publish its report in November 2023

Baroness Pitkeathley Committee Chair said

“Primary and community care provide essential services to millions of people across England, but like much of the NHS are now facing significant pressures People are living longer with multiple and complex conditions, which has led to calls for a more integrated approach in delivering services that meet the needs of a changing population Community care in particular has been overlooked and undervalued

“Our inquiry will consider how to integrate further the delivery of primary and community care provision to improve outcomes for patients The Committee aims to conclude with practical and deliverable recommendations We would like to hear from a range of individuals and organisations from patients carers and families to health professionals and researchers ”

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The inquiry will hold its first oral evidence session on Monday 6 March at 3 05pm where it will hear from two panels of academic experts in primary and community care The session will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4 Palace of Westminster

Topics to be considered at this session and throughout the inquiry include

The main challenges facing primary and community health services as well as possible solutions within the current framework

The main barriers preventing improved integration and how they could be overcome

Examples of successful or innovative models of integrated care either in the UK or internationally

Possible impacts of the Government’s long-term workforce plan for the NHS on primary and community care staffing

• The impact of recent structural changes to the NHS in England (enacted through the Health and Care Act 2022) on integration between primary and community care services

• The role of primary and community care in addressing health inequalities and prevention

The potential benefits of technology and data sharing in improving patient access and experiences

• Recommendations for key changes to facilitate effective and efficient integration in the delivery of primary and community care services