From today, Birmingham and Solihull, Nottingham City, Hertfordshire, Islington, Sheffield and Nottinghamshire will become early adopters in NHS England’s plans to improve care for people with complex needs.

The Integrated Personal Commissioning (IPC) programme is aimed at joining up health, social care and other services, including the voluntary and charity sectors, to help people, carers and families have more control over their care needs. It will help ensure that, as health services move towards more local commissioning, those with the most serious needs can still access the best care for their circumstances.