The clock is ticking for the 44 Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) footprint areas to draw up their plans and submit them by the end of June. STPs are at the heart of the Government's objective to drive greater efficiency and improvements in quality across the health system.

Although in many cases there is effective co-operation between the NHS and local authorities, this does not appear to be happening in every case. Indeed, some have claimed that their views are not being sought and that the detailed knowledge of community needs held by Health and Wellbeing Boards is not being factored in.