New integrated care schemes launching across UK

New integrated care pilot projects are being launched across the UK as part of wider government plans to reduce pressures on emergency care services.

The aim of these new schemes will be to encourage health and social care services to work together to provide better support at home and earlier treatment in the community, thus ensuring that people with long-term conditions do not need to rely on accident and emergency departments.

Barnsley, Cheshire, Cornwall/Isles of Scilly, Greenwich, Islington, Leeds, Kent, North-West London, North Staffordshire, South Devon/Torbay, Southend, South Tyneside, Waltham Forest, East London and City, and Worcestershire will all be participating in the scheme.

It is hoped that this will lead to 2,000 fewer patient admissions over a two-and-a-half year period and a reduction in waiting times at physiotherapy services from eight weeks to 48 hours.

Norman Lamb, care and support minister, said: "We want to make integrated care the norm across the country and planning has already begun in order to invest 3.8 billion pounds into integrated health and care services in 2015/16."

This comes after the King's Fund stated earlier this week that it is vital for GPs to be consulted on efforts to improve the coordination of care if they are to be successful.