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The Midlands Decision Support Network brings integrated intelligence functions together from across our region to share experiences, exchange great practice and improve outcomes.

Together, our Network is helping Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to make better informed decisions through analysis, evidence, evaluation, training and development.

The Midlands Decision Support Network comprises 12 integrated intelligence functions across the Midlands region:

They are working in partnership to address three key challenges:

  • How do we support integrated care systems (ICSs) to make high-quality strategic decisions?
  • How do we support each ICS to become a learning system?
  • How do we build the capacity, capability and culture needed to make this happen?

Each Midlands ICS is developing a team, an integrated intelligence function, which is focused on supporting the key strategic decisions faced by each system. Examples of the kinds of questions they will provide insight on include:

  • The most significant inequalities and how they might be addressed
  • Inequitable distribution of resource and how this might be rebalanced
  • Understanding variation and using this to target improvement efforts and drive innovation
  • Systematic exploration of the thoughts and beliefs of the population served and, frontline staff delivering services
  • Interaction between health and care systems and the wider economy

ICS NHS bodies are expected to:

‘Cultivate a cross-system intelligence function to support operational and strategic conversations…

…This will require ICSs to have linked data, accessible by a shared analytical resource that can work on cross- system priorities.’

 NHSE/I’s ICS Design Framework (2021)

Each local integrated intelligence function is:

  • A locally-led, system resource which draws on and supports a breadth of organisations, including commissioners, healthcare providers and local authorities
  • Clearly separated from day-to-day reporting and routine business intelligence – instead focused on supporting major strategic decisions at system level
  • Led by a Chief Analyst and comprising multidisciplinary team, including skills in quantitative and qualitative  analysis, evidence and knowledge mobilisation and evaluation

 

Each intelligence function is part of a wider network across the region in order to maximise opportunities for sharing, learning and collaboration. The network is supported by the Strategy Unit which is supporting the development of DSUs through:

  • Training and development programme
  • Regional analytical programme
  • Active knowledge exchange and support for local DSU development

ICSs need to ‘develop shared cross-system intelligence and analytical functions that use information to improve decision-making at every level’

‘Analytical skills within systems should be applied to better understanding how best to use resources to improving outcomes, rather than managing contract performance between organisations’

 From NHSE/I’s 'Integrating Care - Next Steps'

DSUs in the Midlands

Simon Bourne, our programme director gives a brief summary of Midlands integrated intelligence functions and the Midlands Decision Support Network