Turning Point, the UK’s leading health and social care provider, today launched a report which for the first time evaluates the economic savings available from integrating a broad range of health, housing and social care services. It finds significant evidence that integration creates efficiencies and savings, with early intervention services potentially saving the NHS up to £2.65 for every £1 spent.
The report ‘Benefits Realisation: Assessing the evidence for the cost benefit and cost effectiveness of integrated health and social care’ is the first systematic review of evidence from the UK and abroad. The review was carried out by Turning Point Connected Care, which works with communities to design local services. There are currently different approaches to integration across the country, but this is the first clear evidence of the economic benefits of this approach.
Meeting peoples’ needs with a preventative and integrated approach to health and social care can create efficiencies and savings for both the NHS and social care services. The report highlights the following evidence in support of integration of services:
- Early intervention through housing related support is highly cost-effective.
- The evidence for case management is positive particularly in reducing hospital admissions and delaying residential care placements among older people and people with long term conditions.
- There is a strong business case for integrated health and social care teams serving local neighbourhoods and supporting people with complex needs.
Commenting on the report, Richard Kramer, Turning Point’s Director of Connected Care, says: “We know that all statutory agencies have to reduce costs and at the same time improve patient experiences and outcomes. Turning Point argues that integration is an obvious solution to these challenges as it enables the joining up and more efficient use of resources to better meet people’s needs. This report provides the business case for the integration of health and social care. The review finds that there is the evidence to make the case for developing more integrated provision, particularly where it is focussed upon prevention, and that structural integration can bring a number of benefits.
“Of equal importance is the recognition that integration needs to involve the community in the design of the service if it is going to be successful and from different agencies agreeing what they are going to achieve from integration. Turning Point Connected Care shows that community engagement can effectively narrow the gap between the priorities of commissioners and the needs of local communities, and improve health and social care outcomes.”
The full report is available from Turning Point’s website, please visit here.