Accountable care systems (ACSs) will now be considered an ‘evolved’ version of an STP that is working as a locally integrated health system, NHS England’s Five Year Forward View progress report, or delivery plan, has confirmed – and this will come paired with much greater freedoms for local organisations.
“[ACSs] are systems in which NHS organisations (both commissioners and providers), often in partnership with local authorities, choose to take on clear collective responsibility for resources and population health. They provide joined up, better co-ordinated care,” the plan explained.
“In return they get far more control and freedom over the total operations of the health system in their area; and work closely with local government and other partners to keep people healthier for longer, and out of hospital.”
Specifically, ACSs are STPs, or groups of organisations within an STP sub-area, that can agree an accountable performance contract with NHS England and NHSI that can “credibly commit to make faster improvements in the key deliverables set out in this plan for 2017-18 and 2018-19”.
Full story in the National Health Executive, 31st March 2017