NHS devolution: London councils to be given extensive new healthcare powers

Jeremy Hunt says five London pilots will be 'trailblazers' for Government’s ambition to 'integrate' NHS services

Hospitals and other NHS services are now significantly over-budget, the report says (Getty Images)

London councils are to be handed extensive new powers over health and care in the latest major “health devolution” deal, ministers have confirmed.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that five London pilots would be “trailblazers” for the Government’s longstanding ambition to “integrate” NHS health services with council-run care services for the elderly, disabled and long-term ill.

Chancellor George Osborne, who signed the deals with London’s health and civic leaders, pledged they would lead to better care for the capital’s residents.

The pilots, which cover nine London boroughs, will see five councils share buildings and facilities with the NHS, while Hackney Council will be tasked with bringing health and social care services under one budget.

Currently, NHS hospitals and other facilities are managed and paid for separately to council-funded care services in most parts of the country. The Government has said it wants to bring the two closer together, but rather than commit to a fully combined budget managed from Whitehall, is seeking to integrate health and social care at a local level with so-called helth devolution deals.

A scheme in Greater Manchester, launched last year, has already seen councils and NHS organisations take joint control of the region’s £6bn health budget.

Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England said the schemes would see tests of better prevention for children's health, new ways of joining up care for older people, and action to free up unused buildings and land.

"In London's NHS we've got some of the best health services anywhere on the planet - but also some of the most pressurised. London is the world's most dynamic and diverse city - why shouldn't it be the healthiest?” he said.

Mr Hunt said: “The pilot areas we have announced today will be trailblazers as we move towards a fully integrated health and care service by 2020. By empowering more places in the capital to make the best decisions for themselves we will improve patient experience, and help keep people well for longer.”

Mr Osborne said the deals were part of a wider “devolution revolution”.“This deal means that not only will the people of London have more control over decisions that affect their lives, it will also lead to better, more joined up health care in the capital for Londoners,” he said.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said that the handover of powers would lead to a “health service better equipped to manage its own resources so that it can become even more responsive to the needs of Londoners.”