Cut ‘board headcount’, ICBs told

A “blueprint” for integrated care board cost-cuts says “headcount should be reduced at board level”. 

The “model ICB blueprint” issued by NHS England says the organisations should “look to streamline boards to deliver [their] core role”. 

HSJ understands the biggest reductions in board members are expected to come from ”greater collaboration” such as shared roles, and “clustering” of integrated care board leadership in many regions – expected to involve sharing of chairs and CEOs.

Discussions about consolidation are already well underway in several regions, although NHSE understands formal mergers are likely to be delayed until at least next year.

The blueprint document indicates ICBs must also remove some board posts which are linked to functions being axed or transferred. These functions include performance management, workforce, and “digital leadership and transformation”. The guidance says ICBs should “streamline” boards “with the right roles and profiles to deliver core Model ICB functions”.

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Source: HSJ, 6 May 2025