Integrated Care Systems are at the centre of the most substantial legislative changes that the NHS has undergone in a decade and have the potential to offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink how the UK approaches health and social care. Today’s paper, written in collaboration with techUK’s Health and Social Care Council, the wider vendor community, and informed by techUK’s engagement with organisations across the public sector, shares five key recommendations for ICSs, in line with the ambition of the Chief Executive of the NHS, Amanda Pritchard, to make these systems the primary drivers of delivery of better health and services for every community.
The recommendations focus on:
Putting the who before the how: helping citizens take control of their health and care
Putting the why before the what: embedding demand-signalling within each ICS
Putting outcomes before processes: fostering innovation through procurement
Prioritising interoperability and data: driving long-term transformation
Working together: creating an open and transparent environment for collaboration
The report features a series of case studies from techUK members, championing their work in tech and innovation to support the UK’s health and social care system, and it follows the publication of techUK’s flagship report, the Ten Point Plan for Healthtech.
If you missed our report launch, you can catch-up here:
A key strength of the new techUK report is in its recommendations to work with existing structures in vital enabling areas such as procurement, innovation, interoperability, and partnership with industry. The leaders of Digital Health Networks look forward to working with techUK, ICSs and other partners to help achieve the potential of digital and data in the brave new world of ICSs.
Chairs and Deputy Chairs
Digital Health Networks
Talking about the paper, Andreas Haimböck-Tichy, Managing Director, Healthcare UKI, Chair of techUK Health & Social Care Council, said:
“Digital technologies have already revolutionised how health and care services are delivered. Integrated Care Systems present the opportunity to further accelerate how citizens engage with and experience services, as well as enabling staff to work in new ways. Continued collaboration between the health and care sector and the technology industry will be a critical success factor in making this transformation a reality.”
Leontina Postelnicu, Head of Health and Social Care at techUK, said:
“Our Right from the Start paper distills the views of hundreds of technology companies operating across the health and social care sectors that we at techUK engage with day in and day out. There is clearly huge momentum across the space to build on the progress we have seen in recent years and accelerate the deployment of technology for the benefit of patients and staff. Close collaboration between the NHS, social care and its supplier base will be paramount to making this happen. As this paper shows, industry is ready and willing to engage. It is now up to the public sector to match this.”
Shane Tickell, CEO, Voror Health, Vice-Chair of techUK Health & Social Care Council, said:
“techUK’s paper is a demonstration of an industry-wide effort, coming together to offer knowledge, experience, and advice to ICSs. None of us have all the answers, but closer collaboration between the NHS, social care, industry, and academia will bring the opportunity to use our collective skills to help tackle one of the toughest periods since the foundation of the NHS.”
Liz Ashall-Payne, Founding CEO, ORCHA, Vice Chair of Health & Social Care Council, said:
“Our message to ICSs is that the tech sector is here to support you. We understand the reality of the challenge facing our healthcare system and we have the energy, ingenuity, and vision to bring about this revolution in healthcare.”
Nic Fox, Chief Commercial Officer, NHS Digital, said:
“As the landscape of the NHS continues to change and evolve, better use of data, digital and tech will be at the heart of transforming the NHS. The work we do with our partners in industry, underpinned by our strategic partnership agreement with techUK, is a key component in helping us deliver the tech agenda.”
Media Contact: Margherita Certo | T 07462107214 | E [email protected]
Leontina Postelnicu
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Leontina Postelnicu
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.
A former journalist, Leontina previously worked for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an associate editor for its International and Media divisions. There, she covered the EMEA region for Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV, with a focus on policy and innovation, and contributed to the Women in Health IT newsletter and HIMSS Insights eBook.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dancing, travelling and visiting her family in Romania, where she hails from.
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Robert Walker
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Alex joined techUK in July 2021, where she is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Alex formerly worked at Portland Communications, joining as part of their 2019 Graduate Scheme intake. In March 2020 she joined Portland’s Health team, supporting a range of clients in the life sciences industry across both public affairs and strategic communications.
Alex has a degree in History from the University of Cambridge, focussing on Early Modern Europe and material culture. Outside of work she enjoys reading, finding new places to eat, and running.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
techUK members – we are calling on you to nominate a colleague who has made a significant contribution or positive difference to People, Society, the Economy, or the Planet through their work with technology.
Can you think of someone you'd like to nominate for our inaugural President's Awards? Nominations close on 26 April.