3. Durham, Darlington, Tees, Hambleton, Richmondshire & Whitby

ICS to be developed

The NHS ten-year long-term plan published in January 2019 stated includes the development of integrated care systems (ICS) across England, in which healthcare organisations, including acute, community and primary care, and social care and public health will work closely together. These ICS are to evolve from the STP areas and be in place by April 2021.

The chief executives of NHS England and NHS Improvement had already written to all STP leaders in October 2018, instructing them to come up with new five year STP plans by autumn 2019. The new five-year plans will replace those which were previously drawn up based on the previous five year funding settlement to 2020-21. The new five year STP will be developed based on a new NHS England budget. These plans will now feed into the development of the ICS.

The ICS will develop either through a number of alliance contracts or through a single provider being in charge of integration of services - an integrated service provider (ICP).

For more information on ICS see our briefing page here.

NOTE: The information on this page relates to the original STP drawn up in 2016; much of the information is still relevant, however, and is likely to be part of any ICS.

What issues have been raised about this STP?

Health planners are trying to reduce NHS deficits and think about ways to re-organise care. However getting the deficit under control could prevent facilities being developed that can cope with the health and care social needs of local people.

Proposed changes

Closure of A&E services at either Darlington Memorial Hospital or University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton on Tees.

A&E’s to close at Hartlepool and Auckland Hospital.

Closure of mental health wards at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital.

A possible downgrading of ‘consultant-led maternity and paediatric services’ is also being considered.

Warnings about the impact

Local campaign groups have warned that forcing people to travel further to their A&E is putting “lives at risk”.
The North Yorkshire County Council Scrutiny of Health Committee warned of an over-emphasis on deficit reduction, coupled with a lack of understanding about the impact of the cuts.