As Somerset’s new Integrated Care System (ICS) becomes a statutory body and formally starts work on 1 July 2022, we look forward to a productive partnership to make care better.
Integrated care systems are partnerships that bring together providers and commissioners of NHS services across a geographical area with local authorities and other local partners, to collectively plan health and care services to meet the needs of their population.
Gill Keniston-Goble, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, said:
“The introduction of Somerset’s Integrated Care System gives us an opportunity to feed people’s views into the planning and running of services – especially the voices of those who are not being heard now.
“We will work hard to make sure the views of local people are represented in the new structure. We are also committed to playing our part by championing equality and inclusion, and helping services reach every bit of the community.
“When services listen and act on the experiences of patients and service users, it results in better care. We have a real chance to create a true partnership between services and the public here in Somerset.”