Piecing it together: effective scrutiny of health and social care integration

This report summarises key lessons and messages from scrutiny inquiry days held in conjunction with Devon County Council, South Tyneside Council and Wiltshire Council, supported by the Local Government Association (LGA) and Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS).

The inquiry days assessed the current role of scrutiny in the development of local plans for integration and how this can be improved in the future. Other areas can draw on the key lessons and messages in considering how scrutiny can contribute to the improvement of local integration plans.‘Integration’ is arguably the greatest policy priority facing those who plan and deliver health and social care services. Councils are central to making integration a reality, working with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and providers of health and social care services to establish a shared framework for delivering seamless health and social care.

The LGA and CfGS support an ambition for council scrutiny to add value to local planning and implementation of integrated health and social care services.