South East London is leading the way in bringing together health and care services, breaking down the traditional barriers between organisations which provide different types of care to patients.

The aim is to help the area’s 1.9 million residents to receive seamless care between the NHS and social care services they receive, enabling them to stay well – and at home – for longer.

Two important developments have been announced to support this:

• South East London has become the first Integrated Care System in the capital – demonstrating that its partners all share a common vision to improve health and care, backed up by proposals for collective leadership and accountability.

In other parts of the country, ICSs are already helping people to stay healthy and independent for longer, giving more care closer to where they live and work, and improving response times and performance in areas such as cancer and A&E.

• NHS Lambeth CCG and the London Borough of Lambeth have, for the first time, appointed someone to oversee both NHS and social care services. As Strategic Director for Integrated Health and Care, Andrew Ayres will oversee the on-going improvement and integration agenda of health and care services in the borough.

Sir David Sloman, regional director for NHS London said:

“This is great news for the residents of Lambeth and those working in health and care. It’s another step towards better integrated care systems and helping Londoners stay well.”

Click here for more information about South East London’s integration work, or read more about Integrated Care Systems.