NHS workers wanting to ‘lead the way’ in improving the healthcare system have been invited to join a pioneer programme.
The programme, first announced at Commissioning Live, will invite the ‘pioneers’ to share and promote their experiences and ideas with the rest of the country.
A panel of national and international experts will consider the most innovative ideas put forward, to be confirmed as pioneers in September.
Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: “Our commitment to work together is backed by a call for areas wanting to lead the way and become a “pioneer”.
“Pioneers will be expected to share and promote their experiences and ideas with the rest of the country, who will also be expected to work towards improving integration at the same time as the pioneers.”
Chris Ham, chief executive of health thinktank The King’s Fund, said: “Feedback from our work with local health and social care leaders indicates that some aspects of current policy and regulation are acting as barriers to delivering co-ordinated care.
“This should be addressed by giving pioneer areas freedoms and flexibilities to overcome these restrictions when they are rolled out from September.”
Expressions of interest should be submitted by the end of June.
