NHS Reforms Explainer Video

Articulating the Elements of Change: NHS Reforms Animated Film

NHS reforms are rapidly changing the way healthcare is procured and provided in England. Primary eye care has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise its profile and operate to the top of its licence and capabilities. By delivering a broader range of patient services closer to home, pressure on secondary health care services will be relieved, costs reduced, and patient outcomes improved. To seize this opportunity, LOCs, as the only official representatives of GOS contractors and practitioners, need to develop a deep understanding of how the NHS is seeking to deliver healthcare. They must position themselves between national, regional, and local bodies and build influence with local and regional commissioners.

To help LOCs build knowledge of the reforms, LOCSU created a four-minute video that looks at what the NHS reforms will mean for LOCs. The film explains the transition from 200 CCGs to 42 integrated care systems and how these seek to integrate social care, prevention, diagnosis, primary care, and rehabilitation across a patient pathway designed to reduce demand on emergency and specialist care. It highlights the advantages of patient-centred, individualised care.

The film introduces the changed environment which emphasises cross-specialism collaboration and the importance of being engaged and active in conversations and consultations. It explains the role of integrated care boards, and the new procurement arrangements that make it easier for ICSs to choose who they work with.

It underlines the importance to LOCs of identifying local leaders, engaging horizontally with peers and vertically with commissioners.

LOCs are at the forefront of change in eye care provision in England. With support from LOCSU they will be working to identify patient needs, provide solutions and work with other specialisms to achieve the vision of integrated care pathways for all patients.