‘Big consolidation’ of ICBs coming, says new NHSE chief exec

A “big consolidation” of integrated care boards is being planned, according to new NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey.

In his first interview as NHSE’s “transition chief executive”, Sir Jim Mackey said the governnment’s decision to cut ICB running costs by 50 per cent by October had already lead to “a lot of the smaller [ICBs]… talking to each other about merger”.

As well as addressing the fate of ICBs, Sir Jim told HSJ  he “absolutely” supported the establishment of provider-led accountable care organisations in the NHS but that only parts of the NHS could successfully deliver them.

He also pledged to “stick up for the NHS” in disagreements with ministers.

Sir Jim said NHSE was “trying to resist” insisting ICBs combine or merge to cover a minimum population, but he added: “I think people are doing that naturally and the conversations at the minute look like we’re going to have quite a big consolidation.”

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Source: HSJ, 1 April 2025