Journal Article

Early indicators of working collaboratively to enhance integrated care transformation. A case study impact analysis

Hardy, Sally, Guven-Uslu, Pinar

2026

Overview

This paper outlines the process of new forms of collaboration, associated with integrated care systems introduced in England in 2022. Lessons learned from a novel approach to anchor institutes, being positioned in higher education institutions, to form distinctive partnerships across local, national, regional and international collaborators forms the basis of impact evidence reported here as 'ripples in the pond'. Using critical social science, participatory approaches and collaborative inquiry has been useful theoretical and pragmatic methodologies, from which to explore 'true' collaboration. Our findings suggest that facilitating effective partnerships, across complex systems is a dynamic process that brings tensions, challenges and opportunities. We outline examples of each, and argue how infinite change and structural inequalities can impeded innovation uptake, whilst creative methodologies blended with critical social science have forged new alliances, that are shaping the future of health and social care systems and architecture. Implications arising from our work to date identify the need for closer alliances and collaborative arrangements are still needed, to encourage embeddedness, where innovation update can be scaled with sensitivity, suitable for the communities they serve. Importantly, the workforce plays a significant core role in transformation, as both knowledge wealth creators, but also as knowledge wealth mobilisers. Influencing and shaping service models, fit for purpose, within the contexts within which people live and work together. For successful sustainable change to cascade further, the workforce remain central to any transformative process to be reimagined.  We  conclude with a horizon scan as to what and how improved population outcomes can be realised, in the face of climate change and manmade disasters looming ahead.

• Publisher: Ubiquity Press