arbiter
JournalsAccount

What factors influence service integration and delivery by integrated neighbourhood teams operating across local health, care, and voluntary sector organisations? A rapid synthesis of qualitative evidence from the UK

Hannah Long et al.

Journal of Health Services Research and Policy2026https://doi.org/10.1177/13558196261437005article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

ObjectivesIntegrated neighbourhood teams (INTs) are central to health system reforms in England, aiming to deliver local, coordinated, and personalised care. Understanding the factors that influence their successful functioning is crucial for informing local policy and practice. This rapid evidence synthesis aimed to answer the research question: What factors influence service integration and delivery by INTs operating across health, care, and voluntary sector organisations?MethodsIn February 2025, we searched Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) for relevant UK-based primary research and international evidence syntheses published within the last 10 years. The database searches were complemented by searches in Google Scholar and the Google search engine. Eligible studies reported evidence on factors shaping the successful functioning of local and neighbourhood-level integrated teams. Data were rapidly synthesised qualitatively.ResultsDatabase searches identified 5139 articles (4954 after duplicates were removed). Of these, 26 were eligible for inclusion, comprising nine primary studies and 17 evidence syntheses published between 2015 and 2025. The findings were highly consistent. Key factors supporting INT functioning included a clear, shared vision; effective leadership; strong working relationships based on trust and mutual respect; clarity on interprofessional roles and responsibilities; appropriate and sustained resources and funding; opportunities for staff learning and development; co-location, dedicated time for multidisciplinary team meetings; and interoperable information technology systems to support data sharing.ConclusionsThere is strong agreement on key relational and organisational factors that support INT functioning. Our practical framework can be used to support policymakers, commissioners, and professionals when planning and implementing INTs.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/13558196261437005

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{hannah2026,
  title        = {{What factors influence service integration and delivery by integrated neighbourhood teams operating across local health, care, and voluntary sector organisations? A rapid synthesis of qualitative evidence from the UK}},
  author       = {Hannah Long et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Health Services Research and Policy},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/13558196261437005},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

What factors influence service integration and delivery by integrated neighbourhood teams operating across local health, care, and voluntary sector organisations? A rapid synthesis of qualitative evidence from the UK

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.