Abstract
Background: In the UK, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), were formed on July 1, 2022, consisting of 42 ICSs across the country. They play a key role in implementing the National Health Service long-term plan. The 42 ICSs are local partnerships that bring health and care organisations together to develop shared plans and joined-up services. The Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (BLMK ICS) one of the 42 ICSs serves a diverse population within the aforementioned areas with the main aim to provide better and efficient care to their system users.
The University of Bedfordshire is one of six Anchor Institutions in the East of England, funded directly by National Health Service England (NHSE) to form a ‘Hub’ to practically support integrated care initiatives. The resulting entity, known as BLMK ICS Research and Innovation Hub, works closely and under a joint governance framework with the BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB) to develop trusted evidence base as well as health and social care interventions to improve the health and care of the BLMK population.
Approach: The University of Bedfordshire's BLMK ICS Research and Innovation Hub joined an extensive network of system partners that included 27 Primary Care Networks, comprising 95 primary care practices, four Healthwatches, local Councils, and NHS organisations like hospitals, community, mental health, and ambulance trusts. The overarching aim of the partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and BLMK ICS is to facilitate research and innovation activities with particular emphasis on:
1.Ascertaining user needs and addressing health and social care inequalities
2.Supporting and developing the workforce to provide integrated population care
3.Building capacity and capability for research and innovation
4.Providing subject matter expertise to research and innovation projects
Results: The BLMK ICS Research and Innovation Hub in the University of Bedfordshire is host to 17 implementation studies that are ongoing and will provide the regional stakeholders with the much needed evidence to make tangible steps towards integrating services for efficacy and efficiency. In addition to relying on a multidisciplinary team of 33 academics the Hub makes good use of the joint governance framework that we developed with regional stakeholders and commissioning to ensure that the research we do addresses regional priorities. This is an innovative approach for the UK which has started yielding benefits in terms of relevance and applicability of findings, as the University has started having an input in the transformation work that is ongoing in the region.
Implications: The Hub's multifaceted integrated care approach brings together various stakeholders to address complex clinical, social, organisational, commissioning, administrative issues, allowing community to participate in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the work that happens regionally. The planned and established advancements of the discussed partnership might serve as a benchmark for creating framework and a platform commissioners, health and social care providers to work with Universities to provide improved and efficient health and social care.