Report

Place-based partnerships: challenges and opportunities

This report from UK think tank the King’s Fund concludes that place-based partnerships have clear potential but require stronger support.

This King’s Fund report examines the role, development and effectiveness of place-based partnerships within integrated care systems (ICSs) in England, drawing on a national survey and three case studies. These partnerships bring together NHS organisations, local authorities and other stakeholders to plan and deliver services at a local ‘place’ level, with a focus on improving population health, integrating care and addressing health inequalities.

The research finds strong commitment among partners to tackling pressing local issues such as hospital discharge, waiting times and the wider determinants of health. Many partnerships reported progress in developing shared visions, strengthening links with voluntary and community organisations, and using data to inform service transformation. Examples of impact include targeted interventions to reduce hospital admissions and community-led approaches to prevention.

However, progress is uneven and frequently constrained by unclear governance and accountability arrangements. Partners often remain primarily accountable to their own organisations rather than to the partnership, limiting collective decision-making. Relationships are critical but can be hindered by power imbalances, cultural differences and competing priorities. Financial pressures are significant, with wide variation in delegated budgets and limited progress in pooling resources.

The report concludes that place-based partnerships have clear potential but require stronger support. It highlights three priorities for improvement: clearer accountability frameworks, investment in collaborative leadership, and more consistent delegation of resources. National policy should better define the role of place-based partnerships, enabling them to lead long-term transformation while balancing immediate system pressures.