CSP calls for greater clarity over community rehabilitation requirements for Integrated Care Systems

Lord Kamall has previously expressed his hope that ICSs will be 'required to provide, and improve provision of, community rehabilitation services,' but the CRA believes more detail is needed. 

In the letter sent to the minister today, 35 alliance members – including the CSP - said: “We welcome your recognition of the importance of rehabilitation services and thank you for your input to this important cause. However it is not clear how, without legislation or clear reference to rehabilitation services in Bill guidance, this will be achieved.”

This latest call follows extensive work between the CSP, backed by the Allied Health Professions Federation and Community Rehabilitation Alliance, and Baroness Finlay of Llandaff  to table several amendments calling on the government to introduce a requirement for an allied health professional and a rehabilitation lead on every integrated care board (ICB). 

The letter to Lord Kamall also highlights how “Despite rising demand on underfunded and overstretched services there is no plan to tackle workforce shortages or additional funding for rehabilitation services in either the Elective Recovery Plan or Integration White Paper published earlier this month. It is therefore clear that strong encouragement is not enough and ICSs will require specific guidance on the provision and improvement of rehabilitation services.” 

Brynnen Ririe, CSP's public affairs lead for England, said: “High quality personalised rehabilitation ensures full recovery and optimisation following elective procedures, and to avoid the revolving door scenario where patients just get re-referred back into the service. It was very disappointing to see that rehabilitation was not mentioned in the recent elective care plan. The CSP and the Community Rehab Alliance will continue to press the government to ensure that ICSs are held accountable for transforming rehabilitation services” 

The letter also invites the minister to meet with representatives of the CRA in order to try and ensure key measures to ensure accountability for community rehabilitation services are not left out of this vital piece of legislation. 

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