Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) were announced in NHS planning guidance published in December 2015. NHS organisations and local authorities in different parts of England have come together to develop ‘place-based plans’ for the future of health and care services in their area. Draft plans were produced by June 2016 and ‘final’ plans were submitted in October. These plans now need to go through a process of assessment, engagement and further development. But what do STPs really mean? And what will they mean for the NHS and for local populations?
What are STPs?
STPs are five-year plans covering all aspects of NHS spending in England.Forty-four areas have been identified as the geographical ‘footprints’ on which the plans are based, with an average population size of 1.2 million people (the smallest covers a population of 300,000 and the largest 2.8 million). A named individual has led the development of each STP. Most STP leaders come from clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) andNHS trusts or foundation trusts, but a small number come from local government.
The scope of STPs is broad. Initial guidance from NHS England and other national NHS bodies set out around 60 questions for local leaders to consider in their plans, covering three headline issues: improving quality and developing new models of care; improving health and wellbeing; and improving efficiency of services. Leaders were asked to identify the key priorities needed for their local area to meet these challenges and deliver financial balance for the NHS. The plans needed to cover all aspects of NHS spending, as well as focusing on better integration with social care and other local authority services. They also needed to be long term, covering October 2016 to March 2021.
For full article see Kings Fund 2 December 2016