Insight posts
Our recent Finance Forum started with a provocation: after decades of integrated care pilots, pioneers and experimentation, why are health systems still so often paying organisations in ways that work against integration? Jacque Mallender and Volker Amelung approached the issue from different perspectives, but there was a striking amount of common ground. Both returned repeatedly…
Across our work at IFIC, we hear from people trying to make integrated care happen while managing the daily pressures of delivering services. They want opportunities to learn directly from others, discuss the challenges they face and develop skills they can use with their teams. Finding the time and resources to do that can be…
In May 2013, I joined the newly established International Foundation for Integrated Care, to support preparations for ICIC14 in Brussels and to lead communications and dissemination for Project INTEGRATE, one of the major European-funded collaborations helping to build the evidence, networks and international profile of integrated care. As the Foundation’s work progressed, I was later…
What a privilege it is to visit other countries and witness firsthand their health and care services within their culture. My colleague Jo Posnette and I were invited to visit Japan for a study tour of community hospitals and to have a chance to participate in a Community Hospitals Summit. It was an amazing opportunity,…
I am currently studying for a Master’s degree in Social Education, but this path began long before my formal studies. Growing up, my family moved often, and I lived in many different parts of Japan. Each move meant leaving something behind and starting again. Over time, I learned how fragile and precious everyday connections can…
In this insight, Sam James reflects on ICIC26 in Birmingham, exploring why relationships, trust and shared power are fundamental to integrated care, and what health systems can learn from community-led approaches across different countries. The International Conference on Integrated Care brings together people from across health, social care, research and the voluntary sector, all trying…
In this insight, Fiona Lyne reflects on the People as Partners forum discussion, exploring why integrated care requires a shift from involvement to shared power, recognising lived experience, community assets and partnership as central to how care is designed and delivered. The People as Partners pillar has always felt to me less like one pillar…
In this insight, Leo Lewis reflects on ICIC26 in Birmingham, exploring how the conference setting, plenary discussions and digital health sessions highlighted connection, collaboration and the evolving role of technology in integrated care. The 26th International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC26) brought more than ideas to Birmingham this April; it brought a sense of momentum.…
In this insight, Janice Cameron reflects on Scotland’s integration journey and the Partners for Integration programme, exploring how trust, relationships and independent sector voices help create the conditions for more collaborative, person-centred health and social care. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb If…
In April 2026, members of the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) team sat down with Professor Sara Singer of Stanford for an exploratory conversation about the Comprehensive Theory of Integration and IFIC’s recently relaunched Nine Pillars of Integrated Care. What began as a comparison of two ways of conceptualising integrated care became something more…
In this insight, Mark Girvan reflects Streamliners’ ICIC26 session with partners from England, Canada and Wales, exploring how locally trusted care pathways can make integrated care real in daily practice by connecting guidance, services, clinicians and communities around people’s needs. At ICIC26, Streamliners brought together partners from England, Canada and Wales to explore a simple…
In this insight, Annefrans van Ede and Marc Bruijnzeels reflect on the ICIC26 Population Health Management (PHM) pre-conference, sharing key learning from global presentations, small-group discussions and plans to revitalise the PHM Special Interest Group ahead of ICIC27 in Tallinn. We would like to thank all participants for their active contribution to the Population…
Luis Fernando Solis Calvo reflects on the life and legacy of Dr Rocío Sáenz, celebrating her leadership in equity, people-centred care and integrated health systems. Honouring the legacy of Dr Rocío Sáenz from Foundation for Integrated Care A Life Committed to Equity and Integrated Care During the International Conference on Integrated Care 2026 (ICIC26),…
In this insight, Alisha Airey and Elli Bliss from Mokita Training & Consultancy reflect on ICIC26 and the challenge of embedding anti-racism in integrated care, highlighting the need to move beyond awareness and training towards leadership accountability, equitable co-production and lasting system change. What ICIC26 Taught Us About Embedding Anti-Racism In April, we found ourselves…
In this insight, Gastón Perman reflects on what he is taking home from ICIC26, highlighting the power of genuine patient involvement, practical workforce training, international learning and new approaches to supporting frail older people and their carers. I’ve just returned from the International Conference on Integrated Care 2026 (ICIC26) in Birmingham, UK, and I’m still…
In this insight, Wilmer Sancho reflects on IFIC LatAm’s Latin American Virtual Conference Day, highlighting how regional dialogue on metrics, leadership, governance and workforce capacity can support more equitable, people-centred integrated care across Latin America. As part of the activities surrounding the International Conference on Integrated Care 2026, the International Foundation for Integrated Care Latin…
In this insight, Tara Marshall reflects on receiving the Best Overall Integrated Care Award at ICIC26, sharing the story behind These Hands Academy and how its Connected Care Programme is helping care home teams strengthen communication, build confidence and keep people safely supported in the place they call home. Attending the International Conference on Integrated…
In this insight, Tara Marshall reflects on ICIC26 as more than a conference, but a global movement centred on people, highlighting the importance of frontline voices, digital solutions, the launch of IFIC England and recognition for the work of These Hands Academy. People – that’s the first word that comes to mind. Over a…
In this insight, Brian J Dunne and Donnie Antony from PHSS Support Services reflect on ICIC26 and the question that stayed with them after the conference: what happens next? They explore how integrated care can move from ideas to practical action through people-shaped systems, trust, community-led support and shared leadership. What are we going to…
In this insight, Lynne Dennehy from Family Carers Ireland reflects on ICIC26 and the growing role of family carers and people with lived experience in shaping integrated care, highlighting the importance of moving from recognition to meaningful inclusion and practical action. The International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC26) in Birmingham is one of those events…
In this insight, IFIC Chief Executive Niamh Lennox-Chhugani reflects on the launch of IFIC’s revised Nine Pillars of Integrated Care, exploring how debate, disagreement and productive tensions can deepen learning and strengthen the shared work of integrated care. After 18 months leading the revision of IFIC’s Nine Pillars of Integrated Care, I found myself on…
In this insight, Lorna Kerin reflects on representing HSE Dublin and South East at ICIC26, exploring how global learning on integrated care, patient partnership and person-shaped services can inform meaningful local action in Ireland. Returning from the 2026 International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC26) in Birmingham, the overwhelming sentiment among the 1,000 delegates from 55…
In this insight, Sara Canella from EHTEL reflects on sharing the Laurel Digital Maturity Assessment Tool at ICIC26, exploring how care organisations can understand their digital readiness and prepare to use technology in ways that support more integrated, person-centred care. Is your care organisation ready to go digital? Here’s how we’re finding out Imagine a…
In this insight, Saray Velert-Jiménez reflects on her first ICIC conference as part of the IFIC team, exploring how seeing integrated care in action deepened her understanding of community, trust, psychological perspectives and the relationships that make care feel connected. When you start working at the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), you hear…
IFIC Director of Communications Fiona Lyne celebrates the ICIC26 awards and the people, projects and partnerships recognised for advancing integrated care across the world, from community-based innovation and culturally responsive care to digital transformation, lived experience and lifetime leadership. ICIC26 Awards Celebrate Global Leadership in Integrated Care From Australia to Argentina, Canada to Singapore,…
In this insight, Fiona Lyne reflects on the presentation of the IFIC Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Guus Schrijvers at ICIC26, honouring his vision, generosity and foundational contribution to the global integrated care community. At ICIC26 in Birmingham, the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) was delighted to present Professor Guus Schrijvers with the…
IFIC Director of Communications Fiona Lyne reflects on ICIC26 Birmingham and the strength of IFIC’s global community, highlighting how diversity of voice, shared ambition and continued adaptation are helping the integrated care movement evolve. One of my strongest reflections from ICIC26 Birmingham is that the International Foundation for Integrated Care’s (IFIC) strength lies in…
Dr Claudine Cousins, CEO of Empower Simcoe, shares the lessons on community-engaged integrated care she took from ICIC26 in Birmingham. There’s always so much to discover and endless chances to do just that at the International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC). This year’s ICIC, held in Birmingham, UK, marked its 26th year. I’m constantly inspired…
The NIHR BRACE Rapid Evaluation team and the NIHR Rapid Service Evaluation Team (RSET) had the pleasure of delivering a workshop titled “Rapid evaluations of integrated care: developing rigorous evidence responsive to policy and practice need” at ICIC26 held in Birmingham, UK. Dr Alisi Mekatoa shares her insights form the conference. Experiences of the…
Ahead of ICIC27 in Tallin, Annelli Taal, Head of Primary Care and Integration Policy at the Ministry of Social Affairs in Estonia, reflects on her experience at ICIC26 in Birmingham. The ICIC26 conference programme was structured around a clear and comprehensive framework based on the nine pillars of integrated care developed by the International…
In this insight, Diane Whitehouse reflects on key discussions from ICIC26 about artificial intelligence and integrated care, exploring how responsible AI, co-design and digital innovation can support more people-centred health and care systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) is top of many people’s agenda. It is certainly a core challenge. A plenary session at ICIC26 explained…
In this insight, IFIC Scotland Coordinator Emma Nieminen reflects on her first experience of ICIC26, exploring how meaningful integrated care is built through the everyday “grind” of relationships, trust, shared purpose and sustained collaboration. I expected an international conference with over 1,000 people from more than 50 countries to be all about the biggest,…
In this insight, Isabel Henderson, Alberta Health Services, reflects on lessons from ICIC26, highlighting why integrated care is now essential to easing pressure on hospitals and emergency services through prevention, community-based care, equity and support for family caregivers. I am honoured to be part of a movement reshaping how care is delivered. At the…
Last week, more than 1,000 policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and people who use health and social services from 55 different countries came to Birmingham to reflect on how best to support people whose health and social care needs cut across traditional service boundaries. Birmingham was the host for the 2026 annual conference of the International Foundation…
In this insight, Anne Wojtak reflects on ICIC26 as a place to “find your people”, encouraging first-time and future attendees to embrace the conference as an opportunity for belonging, shared purpose, international learning and renewed inspiration. When I meet first-time attendees at an ICIC conference or am trying to encourage someone to go to…
In this insight, Raheelah Ahmad of the Fleming Initiative reflects on ICIC26 and the importance of bringing antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention into integrated care conversations, highlighting how joined-up systems can better support people most at risk. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the medicines (antibiotics, antivirals…
In this insight, Ashley Chisholm, Jessica Nadigel, Meghan McMahon, Colleen Ferris and Samantha Laxton reflect on their ICIC26 workshop, exploring how pan-Canadian collaboration can align policy, improvement, standards and research to advance integrated primary health care in Canada. Background Canada is at a defining moment in its effort to advance integrated primary health care.…
In this insight, IJIC Lived Experience Editor Mick Kunze reflects on his experience of ICIC26 and considers the future of lived experience within the integrated care movement, calling for relationships built on mutuality, reciprocity, care and genuine human connection. From Birmingham back to reality – so what? I am writing this two weeks after…
In this insight, IFIC England Joint Directors Yannis Pappas and Nasreen Ali reflect on the launch of this new country hub at ICIC26, exploring how it can build a collaborative national platform for integrated care, support practical tools and shared language, and contribute to reducing inequalities. ICIC26 in Birmingham felt like a timely, practical…
I loved ICIC26. There was a refreshing mix of topics, sessions and participants; I had a great time interviewing Dr Minal Bakhai about neighbourhood working; and, squirming aside, I even enjoyed watching myself on the ‘bloopers reel’ for the conference promo video. And yet… I detected a slightly depressing undertow in some of the sessions…