The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) and six localities from across the GM region (Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford and Wigan) commissioned Cordis Bright, in partnership with PPL, COBIC and Traverse, to evaluate their local care approach. The local care approach forms part of the process to devolve health and care to Greater Manchester, and includes the development of a local care organisation, strategic commissioning functions, and a neighbourhood model for delivering health and care.

Our evaluation ran from December 2018 to May 2021. It included qualitative consultation with stakeholders at locality and GM system level, a workforce survey, and ‘deep-dive’ case studies focusing on different elements of the local care approach in each area.

The following summary report includes learning from research conducted with all six localities as well as strategic leaders from across Greater Manchester. It identifies lessons regarding:

• Implementation of key components of the approach;
• The role of leadership and relationships;
• Structures including approaches to governance and accountability.

This report identifies factors which supported progressed towards a more integrated health and care system at place level, as well as obstacles. These lessons may be applicable to other areas developing Integrated Care Systems.