ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how several home nations are approaching the aspiration of more integrated care within national policy. It focuses on the main legislation, partnership infrastructure and integration policies. The chapter presents a sample of integrated care initiatives that relate to specific populations as examples of what accompanies the main polices. The Bill has introduced a set of integrated planning principles to guide future direction and implementation of health and social care services. Local integration schemes must include the development of an Integration Authority. Integration Authorities bring together the oversight, planning and funding of adult social care services, adult primary care and community health services and some hospital services. Integration Authorities are further required to develop more localised planning arrangements to influence their overall strategy. Integration authorities can follow one of two models: an Integration Joint Board or a ‘Lead Agency’.
