People in some parts of England could be offered blood pressure checks at betting shops under the biggest NHS shakeup in a decade.
About 42 integrated care systems (ICS) are in effect today, bringing together GPs, hospitals, care services and other local groups.
Clinical operations groups, which previously controlled local health budgets, will no longer exist as part of the changes.
Under the plan, a GP in Stockport is providing blood pressure checks at betting shops, while a sports club in Coventry and North Warwickshire is supporting diabetes and obesity through through a GP referral and gym access.
Some GP practices have engaged mental health workers to help young people.
NHS England says the reforms will also save around £14m a year through the reduction of almost 170 NHS executives.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said integrated care systems “have the power to really change the way we care for people above and below the country”.
“Through these plans, we’ve been making a big difference in people’s lives.
“The NHS will now build on this success and innovation and deliver tailored patient care for the future and save taxpayers millions of pounds each year.”
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Some critics have raised concerns that integrated care systems, which divide the country into geographical areas of roughly similar population sizes, are unequal in needs and resources.
The Health Foundation, an independent charity, said in June: “The task faced by ICSs is not equal.
“The pressures on services and people’s health vary widely across ICS – as do the resources available to address them.
“ICSs also look very different in size, complexity and other characteristics.
“Changes in the NHS are nothing new, but these differences will shape the way ICS work and their ability to collaborate to improve services.”
The British Medical Association said on its website: “The BMA supports efforts to improve collaboration both within the NHS and in the areas of care and health.
“However, we do not support a single integration model and have been very critical of the approach that national agencies have taken to develop ICSs and their predecessors, the STP (successor plan). sustainability and transformation).
“The BMA also actively opposed the Health and Care Act during its passage and heavily lobbied for it to be amended.
More specifically, we believe it is essential for ICSs to have a strong clinical voice in their structures, maintaining decision-making locally, free from competition and regional participation. private sector, and led by the NHS and public accountability agencies.”
