By Emma Lee, CAN Head of Engagement 

In April, all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England were asked to significantly reduce their running costs and take on a more strategic role within a changing NHS landscape. This is part of a broader reform of the NHS operating model, which includes closer integration between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, and a redefined role for NHS regions, ICBs, and providers.

At the heart of this change is a drive to create a simpler, more efficient system where every part of the NHS is clear on its purpose, responsibilities, and accountabilities.

ICBs remain central to improving population health and ensuring access to high-quality services. With the recent publication of the model ICB blueprint by NHS England, Dorset, like all ICBs, is now reviewing how to better meet the needs of communities while delivering mandated cost reductions.

They’re carefully considering which functions they should retain, expand, reduce, or potentially transfer. Their goal is to lay the groundwork for long-term reform that shifts more resources into prevention, wellbeing, and care closer to home.

To deliver their future responsibilities effectively and sustainably, ICBs will need to operate on larger footprints. This includes aligning with emerging local authority boundaries and considering factors such as population needs, patient flows, and strong local partnerships.

As a starting point, they are exploring the formation of a wider ICB “cluster” with our neighbours in Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW). This is an early-stage proposal that will be refined in the coming weeks ahead of a national moderation process at the end of May.

This is a complex and evolving piece of work that will continue into the summer, shaped by national and regional developments and close collaboration with our NHS provider partners.