The Integration White Paper sets out a vision for an integrated NHS and adult social care sector which will better serve patients and staff.

The Department of Health and Social Care has said that the measures in the paper will mean that patients receive better, more joined-up care.

The current system means that too often patients find themselves having to navigate complex and disjointed systems. Those with multiple conditions can be left feeling frustrated at having to repeatedly explain their needs to multiple people in different organisations, while others can end up facing delayed discharge because the NHS and local authorities are working to different priorities in a way that isn’t as joined up as it could be.

The White Paper sets out some of the ways health and care systems will draw on the resources and skills across the NHS and local government to better meet the needs of communities, reduce waiting lists and help level up healthcare across the country.

This will include better transparency and choice through better data sharing between local authorities and the NHS, more personalised care, including social prescribing, earlier intervention that could prevent diseases from progressing and reduce the need for invasive and expensive interventions late in the day and a single digital care record so they can book appointments, order prescriptions, and communicate with their care providers on one platform.

Local health services will be tailored to the specific needs of the community to ensure the right services are available. This could mean for example more diabetes clinics in areas with higher obesity, or additional support for people to stop smoking in communities where there are higher numbers of smokers.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Better integration is vital to stop people falling into the gaps between health and social care. Ensuring our health and care systems work in unison will mean we can support hardworking staff, provide better care to patients and deliver value for the taxpayer. Our Integration White Paper is part of our wider plans to reform and recover the health and social care system, ensuring everyone gets the treatment and care they need, when and where they need it.”