There needs to be much more engagement between STPs and the independent and voluntary adult social care sector, say representatives from the care sector.

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) are partnerships between the NHS and local councils designed to improve collaboration within the health and care sector. There are currently 44 STPs.

The Care Provider Alliance (CPA), whose members represent the organisations which provide adult social care services in England, has written to STPs urging them to engage more with providers.

The CPA also requested STPs provide information on their websites about how they plan to improve engagement.

A new report published by the CPA, titled Encouraging engagement between Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships and the independent and voluntary adult social care sector, recommended STPs work closely with local care associations and provider forums in their area.

If there are no established groupings like these, the report says, STPs should invest time and resource, alongside local authority partners, to support providers to come together.

‘The independent and voluntary adult social care sector supports over a million people, many of whom have multiple complex health conditions, and it employs more people than the NHS,’ said chair of CPA Bridget Warr. v‘Without high quality, sustainable adult social care services, the NHS would be completely overwhelmed.

‘Through the sector’s engagement with STP’s, there is a huge opportunity to develop strategic alignment between these vital parts of the system, so that they work together in the best interests of patients and people supported by social care.

‘We hope that these publications by the CPA will help all those involved to further this aim.’

The CPA also called on the providers of adult social care services to take time to understand the role of STPs.

The Hospital Consultants and Specialist Association (HCSA) has also called today for a shake-up of STPs.

Over 95% of hospital doctors felt that STPs were not being created in a transparent or open manner, it found. Nearly two-thirds reported fearing a lack of clinical engagement could have a negative impact on patient care.