The framework has been developed by the CQC, in partnership with National Voices and the Point of Care Foundation, with input from public health practitioners, ICS leaders, engagement experts, voluntary, community and social enterprise partners, and people with lived experience.

Chris Day, director of engagement at CQC, said: ‘This framework is the result of many months work with our partners National Voices and the Point of Care Foundation to provide support for ICSs, who play a vital role in addressing these challenges.

‘From start to finish, the development of this framework has been collaborative, underpinned by the voices of people with lived experience as well as feedback from stakeholders and the four ICSs that participated in the testing phase.'

The framework, which was supported by funding from the Regulators' Pioneer Fund, focuses on people and communities that are affected by health inequalities and identified in the CORE20PLUS5 approach.