The second “full” sustainability and transformation plan has been published, by a London local authority which has criticised the STP process citing concerns over transparency and a lack of focus on adult social care.
Camden Council put the “full” draft version of the North Central London STP on its website today, following the submission by all areas to NHS England on Friday.
HSJ understands that many STP leaders and other local senior figures have been told by national NHS England and NHS Improvement officials that they should not publish their submissions until a later stage, after they have received feedback from those organisations. The issue has also become a subject of national political controversy.
It follows Birmingham City Council earlier publishing the Birmingham and Solihull submission. Camden Council leader Sarah Hayward said she had “serious reservations” about the STP, which also covers Barnet, Islington, Haringey and Enfield.
Two major London providers Royal Free and University College London Hospitals – are in North Central London.
Explaining the decision to publish today, Councillor Hayward said there had been “no political oversight, and minimal public and patient engagement” in the process.
She added: “At present, there is a lack of appropriate focus on adult social care. That lack of public, patient and political involvement is why I am publishing this document on our website. It is vital that there is full transparency in Camden as this work progresses.”
This morning Birmingham City Council published the Birmingham and Solihull’s STP. Last week Birmingham City Council’s director for people Peter Hay told HSJ sister title LGC that the city’s STP was focused on tackling NHS funding problems rather than a system-wide solution for health and care. The North Central London STP summary states that social care is “a crucial part of many of our workstreams”, but adds integration plans are yet to be developed.
Full story in The HSJ 24 October 2016