Integrated care communications toolkit

Supporting members to communicate the changes taking place in the health and care system in England.
People connected by lines

Our integrated care communications toolkit has been developed to support our members to communicate all the changes taking place in the health and care system, to your various audiences.

The integration of health and care services aims to improve patient outcomes, population health and reduce health inequalities. The NHS has been working alongside local councils and other partners to join up services for many years, and ICSs are the culmination of that work.

The toolkit contains several core elements that you can use on your own websites and as part of your own overall communications strategy, including links to our FAQ page, a jargon buster and useful case studies.

We have created personalised materials for:

  • the public – produced in conjunction with Healthwatch England
  • elected members and officers of councils – produced in conjunction with the Local Government Association
  • non-executive directors.

We have also included a number of links to other resources that you might find useful when communicating about integrated care systems. This toolkit will be updated as needed. If there is anything you feel should be included please email us.

Resources

A busy London street with masked people.
Slide deck with animated videos

Explaining integrated care systems to the public

Slide deck with animations, graphics and speaker notes to help explain system working to the public.

Diverse group sat around a boardroom table
Slide deck with animated videos

Explaining integrated care systems to elected members and officers of councils

Slide deck to explain integrated care to elected members and council officers.

Our people
Slide deck with animated videos

Explaining integrated care systems to non-executive directors

Slide deck for non-executive directors of integrated care boards.

blank speech bubbles forming a cloud
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about integrated care systems

Home worker at laptop
Jargon buster

Jargon buster

Breaking down all the jargon associated with integrated care systems and the changes to the health and care service

People connected by lines
FAQs

ICS governance and the role of NEDs

FAQs from our session on ICS governance structures and practical actions for non-executive directors.

Useful integrated care case studies

A group of people walking in the countryside.
Case Study

Combatting loneliness in York

Asset-based community development has led to a significant reduction in non-clinical GP visits for loneliness and isolation.

13 January 2022
A man receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
Case Study

Addressing vaccine hesitancy in different ethnic communities

In 2020, COVID-19 vaccination data for Cheshire and Merseyside showed a lot of vaccine hesitancy, especially among ethnic minority groups.

13 January 2022
A nurse smiling at a tablet.
Case Study

NHS 111 mental health triage service

Enabling people in Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight to get mental health support before a problem becomes a crisis.

13 January 2022
Graphic of abstract shapes with the title Integration and Innovation in Action
Case Study

Supporting people affected by frailty in Hull and East Riding

A re-designed community frailty pathway has transformed care for older people and reduced GP appointments and hospital admissions.

11 January 2022
Graphic of abstract shapes with the title Integration and Innovation in Action
Case Study

Urgent community response across Mid and South Essex

A new urgent community response team provides a single integrated service responding to people experiencing an acute medical crisis.

11 January 2022
Graphic of abstract shapes with the title Integration and Innovation in Action
Case Study

Reducing conveyances of older patients in South Warwickshire

Clinicians wanted to test the feasibility of avoiding conveyances where possible and using virtual wards to keep people at home.

11 January 2022
Graphic of abstract shapes with the title Integration and Innovation in Action
Case Study

Diverting children from unnecessary hospital attendances in York

A GP provider organisation worked with the local authority, businesses, volunteers and health providers to turn wasteland into a health village.

11 January 2022
Case Study

Taking a system-wide collaborative approach to people and workforce

The Black Country and West Birmingham ICS has taken a system-wide approach to delivering solutions in people and workforce planning.

15 December 2021

Other useful resources

NHS Confederation report

Building common purpose

Learning on the role engagement and communications play in partnership working and developing thriving integrated care systems.

External report

Integrated care systems explained: making sense of systems, places and neighbourhoods

King's Fund publication which explains the role of integrated care systems

Infographic and narrative

Integrated care systems: how will they work under the Health and Care Bill?

An infographic and narrative from King's Fund explaining the role of integrated care systems

Animated patient story

Joined-up care: Sam's story

An animated patient story from the King's Fund to explain integrated care in action.

NHS England video

Strong Integrated Care Systems Everywhere

A useful video from NHS England explaining integrated care.

Health on the Line

A fortnightly podcast offering fresh perspectives on the healthcare challenges of our time and ways to confront them.

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