The concept behind the integrated care system (ICS) appears sound – the culmination of years of ever closer integration between health and care systems, notwithstanding the uneasy relationship between the NHS and local government in some parts of the country.

Prime Minister (at the time of writing) Boris Johnson has billed their rollout as being on a par with the creation of the NHS. He has spoken of ‘making clear to citizens who is accountable for their local health and care services' and ‘empowering local leaders'.