Creative Health Across the System - explainer video
Creative Health Across the System: ICBs, Hospitals, Public Health, and Combined Authorities
We are in an exciting time for the field of Creative Health, as we see it increasingly incorporated into a plethora of healthcare systems. But, for artistic practitioners who are not familiar with healthcare structures, and healthcare leaders who are not familiar with the health benefits of the arts, it can be difficult to know how Creative Health can be incorporated locally.
This is why the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) have developed a short explainer video, entitled Creative Health Across the System: ICB, Hospitals, Public Health, and Combined Authorities. The resource helps audiences to orientate themselves as to how Creative Health shows up in four key healthcare contexts.
Watch now!
Featured in the film is our Midlands Creative Health Associate, Jane Hearst, who helps us to set the scene. To find out more about the Creative Health Associates Programme, and connect to the Associate in your NHS region, you can visit: https://ncch.org.uk/creative-health-associates-programme
Elsewhere, four members of our Champions Network talk about their own healthcare contexts - demonstrating the value of NCCH’s cross-system approach to engagement. To find out more about champions in your area, you can visit our interactive map of champions. Or to discuss the potential of joining, as a senior health leader in your area, email: info@ncch.org.uk
In the film, Jane and Rhys refer to the ever-growing body of Creative Health evidence. To access our latest Creative Health Review (Dec 2023) you can visit: https://ncch.org.uk/creative-health-review The Review has gathered evidence that shows the benefits of creative health in relation to major current challenges, and examples of where this is already working in practice.
Systems discussed in the Film:
Integrated Care System (ICS) | The 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in England are local partnerships that unite health and care providers to create collaborative plans and services. Each ICS is made up of NHS partners and local councils, along with the voluntary sector and social care providers, who work together to enhance the health and well-being of their communities.
Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) | The committee of leaders in each ICS is called an ICP. Each ICP must develop a long-term strategy to improve health and social care services and people’s health and wellbeing in the area. They may also take on additional responsibilities, as agreed locally between the members.
Integrated Care Board (ICB) | These are the NHS organisations responsible for planning health services for their local population. There is one ICB in each ICS area. They manage the NHS budget and work with local providers of NHS services, such as hospitals and GP practices, to agree a Joint Five-year Plan (AKA Joint Forward Plan) which says how the NHS will contribute to the ICP’s integrated care strategy.
NHS Trusts | NHS Trusts work at the patient level, providing direct clinical services, including hospitals, mental health, and community health services. Trusts operate at the frontline of healthcare delivery, ensuring access to treatment, managing patient care pathways, and offering specialized medical services. They are funded and regulated by the NHS but function semi-independently to meet the needs of their local populations, often in collaboration with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and other health and social care providers.
Public Health | Public Health teams work at a population level to protect and improve the health of communities. Their aim is to prevent health issues before they arise by addressing factors like social determinants of health, health inequalities, and environmental conditions that influence well-being. These teams are often part of local councils or government agencies rather than the NHS, and they collaborate with a wide range of sectors—housing, education, and community organizations—to implement health-promoting policies, run outreach programs, and gather data to guide public health strategies.
Combined Authorities | These are formal partnerships of neighbouring local councils within specific regions in England that come together to collaborate on regional issues, such as economic development, transport, housing, and sometimes health and social care. Established through legal agreements, Combined Authorities often have devolved powers and budgets from central government, enabling them to make strategic decisions that better meet the needs of their local areas. They work with the NHS, voluntary sector, and other partners to address wider social determinants of health, creating integrated approaches to improve regional well-being and economic growth.
Credits:
This film was made by Pruga P, including the video content, animations, music production, and editing.
The film development was led by Jane Hearst, our Midlands Creative Health Associate.
Discussing Integrated Care Systems and Boards was Stephen Sandford, Chief Allied Health Professionals Officer, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB
Shining a light on Hospital Arts was Laura Waters, Head of Arts, University Hospitals of Derby and Derby NHS Trust, and Co-Chair of the National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN).
Next we heard about Public Health from Rhys Boyer, Senior Public Health Officer, Birmingham City Council.
Finally, Mubasshir Ajaz, Head of Health and Communities, West Midlands Combined Authority, discussed the place of Creative Health in Combine Authorities.
Special thanks also go to Beatbots Dance Crew and Ziggy Hayter Life Drawing for generously allowing us to record their sessions. As well as the Arts Team at Royal Liverpool Hospital, who provided a filming location and access to their arts displays.
