Integrated Care Board (ICB)

An NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a local NHS organisation responsible for planning, funding, and coordinating healthcare services for a defined population within an Integrated Care System (ICS) in England.

Overview

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) were established on 1 July 2022, replacing Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England There are currently 42 ICBs, each covering populations of roughly 1–2 million people, similar to a county-sized area . ICBs operate within Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), which are partnerships of NHS organisations, local authorities, and other stakeholders working together to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities

Key Functions

• Planning and Funding Services: ICBs manage the NHS budget for their area and commission most NHS services, including hospitals, GP practices, mental health, and community care
• Integration of Services: Unlike CCGs, which acted solely as purchasers of healthcare, ICBs combine the roles of commissioner and provider, fostering collaboration between hospitals, community trusts, and primary care
• Strategic Coordination: ICBs work with local partners through Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) to develop long-term strategies for improving health and social care in their area
• Reducing Inequalities: By coordinating services across multiple providers, ICBs aim to reduce disparities in health outcomes and improve population health

Legal and Administrative Status

ICBs are statutory NHS organisations defined under the Health and Care Act 2022 . They have legal powers to commission services, manage budgets, and enter into contracts with providers. In some cases, they act as data controllers for personal health information when coordinating care or procuring services

Future Developments

The government announced that ICBs will be merged into 26 ICB clusters by 2026–2027, reducing the number of entities and streamlining administration.  This aims to improve efficiency, encourage cooperation, and better align services with regional needs.

Summary

ICBs are central to the NHS’s shift toward integrated, population-focused care, replacing the fragmented system of CCGs. They plan, fund, and coordinate healthcare services, work closely with local authorities and partners, and aim to improve health outcomes while reducing inequalities across their populations.

To contact our ICB, you can use email blmkicb.contactus@nhs.net