ICB functions radically reduced in national ‘blueprint’

More than a dozen functions have been earmarked for “transfer” out of integrated care boards, including workforce planning, primary care, and digital leadership.

Several of them will transfer to emerging “neighbourhood health providers”, according to NHS England’s new “model ICB blueprint”, which is meant to help the boards cut 50% from their overheads.

The document also orders integrated care boards to reduce their board-level headcount to focus on ”core model ICB priorities”.

The document names 18 functions and activities which ICBs should “transfer [out] over time”, six they should “selectively retain and adapt”, and 11 which should “grow”.

NHSE financial reset and accountability director Glen Burley, who has been overseeing the work so far, told HSJ it was a “first step in a joint programme of work to reshape the focus, role, and functions of ICBs”. 

“We are seeking to reduce the management costs of the NHS so that more money can be spent on the frontline,” he said. “This won’t be achieved by simply moving functions to different organisations – instead ICBs need to be working together to merge functions to cut duplication.”

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Source: HSJ, 6 May 2025