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Why the adult social care voice is crucial to effectively integrated care

Alice McGee, Chief People Officer at Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, discusses the crucial role of adult social care in achieving properly integrated care.

Integrated care is the coordination and combination of services across different sectors. It ensures those being supported only need to share their story once to receive the care and support they need. It involves healthcare, social care and other services working together to deliver effective, person-centred support.

Although many conversations around integration can be focused on healthcare, I believe it’s critical that we emphasise the importance of adult social care’s role within integration. The sector can often provide an understanding of the factors that influence health, that healthcare may not have considered. By looking at health across a person’s entire life, adult social care improves our ability to provide better, more holistic care.

Another valuable aspect of adult social care is the broader perspective that its staff bring to the table. The NHS does a great job of viewing things from a health-led perspective, but adult social care can consider a spectrum of factors affecting health outcomes, including social and environmental elements. This comprehensive understanding allows us to provide care that is not only medically effective but also socially and emotionally supportive. Working alongside social care professionals enriches our approach to care, making it more holistic and integrated.

The shift towards person-centred care is something I have witnessed and embraced over the years. With the introduction of personal health budgets, the NHS has made moves towards more personalised care. However, the social care sector has a long history of focusing on individual needs and preferences, and there is much that the healthcare sector can learn from this approach. I have already seen steps taken in the right direction. Through collaboration, we have been able to adopt and refine person-centred ways of working, ensuring that care plans are tailored to each person’s unique circumstances.

From a prevention perspective, social care providers play a pivotal role in reducing the need for hospital admissions by creating the conditions for individuals to remain in their familiar care settings. This not only benefits patients but also lessens the cost burden for NHS services, with each A&E admission costing approximately £400. Integration initiatives, such as regular GP visits to care settings, have significantly reduced A&E admissions and 999 calls. By fostering informed decision-making among social care staff, supported by healthcare professionals, we are effectively minimising unnecessary escalations and improving overall efficiency.

There are some obvious challenges when it comes to integrating adult social care and healthcare workforces. Bureaucracy, funding restrictions, governance issues, and mindset barriers often pose significant hurdles. For example, how do we fund collaborative initiatives? Which organisation or person signs off on work that includes staff from different sectors? I believe that a shift in mindset is essential to overcoming these obstacles. By fostering a culture of openness and collaboration, we can address these challenges head-on and create a more integrated and efficient care system.

There are many successful examples of collaboration between social care providers and health organisations. One initiative that stands out is the Active Bystander program, which promotes cultural change and collaboration across health and social care sectors. It emphasizes shared learning and improved integration, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can lead to significant improvements in care delivery and patient satisfaction.

Looking ahead, I hope to see continued political support for integration efforts and multi-year funding commitments. These are essential for allowing long-term planning and the effective prioritisation of interventions. By investing in the integration of health and social care, we can create a more sustainable and effective care system that meets the needs of all patients. By continuing to foster these partnerships, we can build a more integrated and effective healthcare system for the future.

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