2025 Agenda

Keep it Local for better health: how integrated care systems can unlock the power of community

11 Jun 2025
Collaboration and partnerships theatre
Collaboration / partnerships / patient or public engagement , Integration – system / place / neighbourhood

Local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations will be crucial for a ‘neighbourhood health system’ which focusses on prevention and shifts care from hospitals to communities.

To show what this could look like, Locality – the national network for community organisations – has been supporting West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to become the first ‘Keep it Local ICS’ in the country.

The ‘Keep it Local’ approach has grown among local authorities across England over the last decade. It encompasses six principles that councils and integrated care systems (ICSs) can adopt to transform services, reduce pressures, and save money through local VCSE partnerships.

Through insight from Locality and VCSE and health system leaders in West Yorkshire, this session will explore what it really means for an ICS to 'Keep it Local' and how others can follow suit.

Emma Easton OBE
Emma Easton OBE, Deputy Director, Experience and Partnerships - NHS England
Sam Pluckrose-Oliver
Sam Pluckrose-Oliver, Policy and Public Affairs Manager - Locality
Martin Pursey
Martin Pursey, Director of Partner Relationship Management - West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
Kim Shutler MBE
Kim Shutler MBE, Chief Executive Officer - West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board