Building consensus for actionable policy on Integrated Long-Term Care: Bridging Health, Social Care, and Informal Support

Background: As populations age and care needs become increasingly complex, developing sustainable and equitable Integrated Long-Term Care (I-LTC) systems has emerged as a pressing policy priority. This workshop seeks to build consensus around actionable policy recommendations under review within the EU-funded Laurel Project. The initiative supports the design and implementation of I-LTC solutions that meet the needs of both formal and informal carers, bridging health and social care sectors. Drawing on recent Laurel results and comparative policy analysis, the session will examine regulatory, economic, managerial, and educational dimensions shaping I-LTC policies, with attention to Europe’s societal and cultural diversity.

Audience: This workshop is intended for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and representatives of patient and carer organisations involved in the design, delivery, or evaluation of I-LTC. Participants will be encouraged to share their expertise and perspectives to assess the feasibility, relevance, and transferability of emerging policy recommendations across varied health and care systems in Europe.

Approach: The 90-minute session will follow the structure below.

- Introduction and Framing (15 minutes)

The workshop’s chairperson with the support of one of the facilitators will present the workshop’s rationale, objectives, and the key policy domains under consideration. They will explain the four core policy areas under review — regulatory frameworks, workforce and education, financing and resource allocation, and governance structures. The methodological context will be provided, drawing on Laurel’s multi-country comparative policy analysis, stakeholder surveys, and focus groups.

- Interactive Group Work (45 minutes):

Participants will be organised into facilitated small groups, each focusing on a specific policy domain. Using pre-prepared policy options, the groups will assess feasibility, identify contextual enablers and barriers, and anticipate potential system-level impacts. Each group will utilise a guided worksheet and a logic model template to structure discussion and record findings.

Facilitators will employ a semi-structured discussion guide to ensure consistency across groups.

- Consensus Mapping and Plenary Discussion (25 minutes):

Group rapporteurs will present key insights using a visual template (e.g. a digital or printed matrix) to map areas of convergence and divergence across domains and contexts. A live thematic clustering exercise will be undertaken (e.g. using sticky notes, Mentimeter, or shared-screen annotation) to capture emerging priorities and points of tension. The plenary session will be moderated to draw connections between practical implementation challenges and strategies for system-level change.

- Wrap-Up (5 minutes): Finally, we will synthesise the collective outputs, highlighting cross-sectoral agreements, unresolved challenges, and opportunities for scaling and adaptation. The session will conclude with an overview of how the workshop findings will refine Laurel’s policy recommendations and guide their dissemination to EU and national stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will have:

- Developed a shared understanding of key policy priorities for equitable and sustainable I-LTC;

- Gained insight into how societal and cultural contexts influence policy implementation and care integration; and

- Co-developed a set of recommendations and implementation strategies to inform future EU-wide I-LTC reforms.