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ICBs

Integrated Care Boards

Introduction: Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are a key component of the UK’s healthcare reform, introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022. The establishment of ICBs represents a shift toward more localized and collaborative health and care systems, aiming to improve patient outcomes through integrated care across NHS services, local authorities, and other health-related services. The East of England, a region that encompasses counties such as Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, is home to several ICBs, each working to meet local health needs while aligning with national priorities.

Formation of Integrated Care Boards in the East of England: ICBs in the East of England were formally established on 1 July 2022, in line with the national implementation of the Health and Care Act 2022. The Act required NHS organizations to collaborate more closely with local authorities and other partners to deliver care services in a way that is more coordinated, efficient, and patient-centered.

Previously, healthcare provision in the region was largely managed by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The shift to ICBs marked the dissolution of these CCGs and the creation of more integrated, place-based healthcare systems. The formation of ICBs was designed to bring together various healthcare providers, commissioners, local authorities, and voluntary sector partners to work collaboratively on improving health outcomes, reducing health inequalities, and increasing the efficiency of care delivery.

ICBs in the East of England: The East of England consists of six ICBs, each responsible for overseeing and coordinating health services across multiple counties. These ICBs are as follows:

  1. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
  2. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board
  3. Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
  4. Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
  5. Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
  6. Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board

Key Objectives and Future Aims of the ICBs in the East of England: The overall goal of the ICBs is to provide more holistic and integrated healthcare that improves outcomes for patients, makes services more accessible, and ensures a sustainable healthcare system. Some of the key aims include:

  1. Improving Patient-Centered Care: ICBs are tasked with improving patient care by ensuring that services are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to local needs. This includes ensuring that patients have better access to mental health services, primary care, and specialized services. By working closely with local authorities and community organizations, ICBs aim to create a seamless care experience for individuals.
  2. Reducing Health Inequalities: The East of England has diverse populations with varying levels of health need. Many areas in the region, such as parts of Essex and Norfolk, have high levels of socio-economic deprivation and health inequality. ICBs focus on reducing these disparities by targeting interventions in the areas most in need, including improving access to healthcare, education, and social care.
  3. Collaborative Working Between Partners: The shift to ICBs encourages the integration of health and social care services across local authority boundaries. This means that NHS bodies, local authorities, voluntary sector organizations, and other community stakeholders must work together to deliver a more coordinated response to local health needs.
  4. Digital Transformation and Data Sharing: A key aim for ICBs across the East of England is to drive the digital transformation of healthcare services. This includes enhancing data-sharing mechanisms to improve patient outcomes and streamline service delivery. By embracing digital health technologies and integrated patient records, ICBs aim to improve service efficiency and enhance patient care.
  5. Sustainability and Efficiency: The ICBs are also tasked with ensuring the financial sustainability of healthcare services. By working collaboratively, they aim to reduce duplication, streamline resources, and improve service efficiency while managing costs. This includes optimizing healthcare spending and reducing waste across the system.
  6. Workforce Development: Workforce challenges, particularly in nursing, primary care, and social care, are a significant concern in the East of England. ICBs are focused on addressing workforce shortages by promoting education, training, and recruitment programs to ensure that the region's healthcare workforce is adequately skilled and sustainable.
  7. Enhancing Mental Health and Preventative Services: A growing focus for ICBs is the integration of mental health services and preventive care initiatives. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, ICBs aim to reduce the long-term burden on health services, particularly in areas like mental health, obesity, and chronic disease management.
  8. Local Health and Care Plans: ICBs are tasked with developing and implementing a Local Health and Care Plan that sets out how they will achieve the national goals of the NHS Long Term Plan in their respective areas. These plans will reflect local health priorities, demographic changes, and the need for service improvement.

The Eastern Division Executive Committee lead by the Chair has recently started engaging with our ICB Mental Health Leads to explore areas of mutual interest and discuss possibilities for collaboration and joint working. Conversations are so far at early stages.

Getting involved with the Division

Taking a role on the Executive Committee

The Eastern Executive Committee are always looking for new members! Being a member of the Exec will help you expand your network of professional contacts, shape the service the College provides to members in the region, and will be a lot of fun too.

Read more about the Eastern Executive Committee. 

Attending an event or training session

The Divisions team works hard to provide great events and training sessions at which you can gain CPD points, keep your knowledge up to date and network with other members, carers and patient representatives in the region.

Find out about our events and training courses.

Contributing to the Division's news updates or speaking at an event

We'd love to hear from Division members who'd like to contribute an article to our news updates or speak at one of our events. If you'd like to, please email eastern@rcpsych.ac.uk