As England’s health and care landscape continues to evolve, local systems are navigating a period of significant transition. Structural reforms and shifting partnerships are reshaping how organisations collaborate to improve outcomes for their communities.
A recent reflective piece from The King’s Fund revisits the experience of the former Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System and the role played by one of NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB’s predecessor organisations, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, as a central partner in that system.
The blog is authored by Susannah Howard, who previously served as the Integrated Care Partnership Director (2022-2026) and Integrated Care System Programme Director (2016-2022) for Suffolk and North East Essex ICS. Drawing on her decade of experience leading system‑wide collaboration, she reflects on what truly underpins effective partnership working, especially at a time when organisational structures and accountabilities continue to shift.
Her insights highlight a consistent theme: while formal arrangements may change, the foundations of successful system working remain rooted in shared purpose, trust and strong cross‑sector relationships. From embedding lived experience to strengthening collaborative culture, the lessons resonate strongly for systems adapting to today’s pressures.
Read the full blog, ‘What we learned as an ICS – and why we need to ‘softwire’ our future local health and care systems’, to explore the seven key insights shaping the future of local health and care collaboration.