In some areas, a partnership will evolve to form an integrated care system, a new type of even closer collaboration. In an integrated care system, NHS organisations, in partnership with local councils and others, take collective responsibility for managing resources, delivering NHS standards, and improving the health of the population they serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local services can provide better and more joined-up care for patients<\/a> when different organisations work together in this way. For staff, improved collaboration can help to make it easier to work with colleagues from other organisations. And systems can better understand data about local people\u2019s health, allowing them to provide care that is tailored to individual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By working alongside councils, and drawing on the expertise of others such as local charities and community groups, the NHS can help people to live healthier lives for longer, and to stay out of hospital when they do not need to be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In return, integrated care system leaders gain greater freedoms to manage the operational and financial performance of services in their area. They will draw on the experience of the 50 \u2018vanguard\u2019 sites<\/a>, which have led the development of new care models across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More information is available in: Breaking down barriers to better health and care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In June 2019 three further areas were designated as integrated care systems<\/a>, meaning more than a third of the country\u2019s population is now covered by an ICS. There are now 42 sustainability and transformation partnerships, including the 14 integrated care systems show below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about some areas that are working towards developing an integrated care system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/ICS-map-web-v2.jpg\")
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