STPs: from sticky toffee puddings to just plain fudge

摘要

Last week leaders from the NHS, local government, the voluntary sector, and beyond convened in Westminsterto discuss the next steps fordelivering NHS England's sustainability and transformation partnerships (formerly plans), the ambitious vehicle forfuture proofing health and social care services by integrating care across 44 areas of the country. STPs-nicknamed "sticky toffee puddings" by some health service wags-and their offshoots, the accountable care organisations, have been a lightning rod for controversy since 2016. The haste in which the plans were drawn up, the lack oftransparency overtheirdevelopment, and poor engagement with the health professions and the public have led some sceptics to conclude that the plans are at best unrealistic and at worst a smokescreen for cuts and privatisation.