Following the establishment of the new North Central London Integrated Care System, David Lammy and I have written jointly to Mike Cooke, Chair of the North Central London Integrated Care Board to raise our concerns about what it means for services.   They need to be protected from creeping privatisation and it’s vital that private business interests aren’t allowed to influence decision making. Read our full letter here:

Dear Mike,

Re: North Central London Integrated Care System – constitution

We are writing following correspondence with Haringey ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ (KONP) regarding the constitution for the North Central London Integrated Care System, due to be established on 1st July 2022. 

Haringey KONP believe that it is crucial for patients in Haringey that the new ICS ensures that all patients have universal access to care based on their need, and that this care is free at the point of use for everyone, regardless of whether they are resident in the borough. Haringey KONP are also anxious to ensure that the new ICS operates only in the public interest and private business interests are not allowed to influence decision making. Finally, Haringey KONP believe that there should be full public accountability for decisions made by the ICS.

Haringey KONP have raised concerns with us that the new ICS constitution does not fully align with these stated aims. Firstly, they are concerned about representatives of private sector organisations sitting on the ICS board or any related committees and bodies with delegated powers. We understand that they have tried to raise their concerns about this matter with you but have not received a response.

Secondly, Haringey KONP are clear that the constitution should ensure that a comprehensive universal health service is available to residents of North Central London, anyone who needs care while temporarily in North Central London, and for residents of North Central London who need care while temporarily elsewhere. Stating these aims clearly in the constitution would ensure that free universal healthcare is a really guaranteed in North Central London.

As MPs for the two Haringey constituencies, we entirely share Haringey KONPs desire that the new ICS is established with a constitution which protects the NHS from creeping privatisation, provides a universal, accessible service to all, and ensures that the ICS can be fully held to account by the public.  We would appreciate it if you could provide us with a response detailing the ICS’s response to the concerns raised by Haringey KONP.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

David Lammy MP & Catherine West MP