Integrating services to create Intermediate Care Southwark
We co-developed a programme that led to the creation of a new integrated service - Intermediate Care Southwark – cited as an example of “Outstanding Practice” by the Care Quality Commission
-
Situation and task
-
What was the impact?
-
Key success factors
-
Situation and task
-
Situation and task
The Institute supported the development of an integrated health and social care urgent response, short term rehab and reablement pathway/service delivery model. We designed and facilitated the development and implementation of the model working alongside Southwark Adult Social Care (ASC) and Guys and St Thomas Trust (GSTT) service managers and service heads. We adopted a focused project management approach, informed by our practical experience of working on integration projects, and underpinned by a cultural change management methodology. This created the right conditions to introduce system change in a stakeholder led environment. At the same time we provided skill and capacity to ensure the deliverables of the project were achieved.
Following the sign-off of the new model, we continued to provide input to support the mainstreaming of the new approach within ASC and GSTT. We also identified the additional support and capacity needed to ensure a smooth transition to the new service. This enabled the new Head of Service and the Shared Management Team to become established and move towards business as usual.
-
What was the impact?
-
What was the impact?
The ADASS Peer Review singled out Intermediate Care Southwark for the excellent service it provided. The review acknowledged both the operation of the service and the process of its development and implementation.
Notably in 2019, The Care Quality Commission singled out Southwark’s Integrated Care approach as an example of “Outstanding Practice”, as part of their inspection of GSTT.
The service continues to play a key part in what has been recognised as a contemporary, proactive approach ensuring patients have access to the right care at the right time within the community. This means better support for people to remain independent and safe at home and preventing the need for hospital admission or long term care.
-
Key success factors
-
Key success factors
- Building a strong provider coalition and commitment to work together to bring about change
- Engaging with frontline staff and managers from the beginning - taking a “bottom up”, cultural change approach - developing a shared purpose and vision for improvement through design workshops
- Establishing effective governance – developing a coalition approach between providers and commissioners
- Creating capacity, putting in place practical project management arrangements – making sure that this was “our” integration
- Hearing and listening to people with “lived experience”
- Taking a phased, “test and learn” approach to implementation

Contact Philip Provenzano to discuss this case study
Related News

Key enablers and principles for strategic and collaborative commissioning and planning - health and care
21/03/2023
Find out more about our online webinar considering the key enablers and principles to support effective collaborative commissioning and planning across health and care.
Related Services

Consultancy
We help our clients solve problems, improve practice and innovate. We can help you to review, design, develop and implement policy, strategies, structures, services, pathways and operational guidance.
Related Case Studies

South West Sufficiency Project led by South Gloucestershire Council

Supporting regional development of services for young people who have experienced sexual or criminal exploitation
