Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with shadow ICS Boards over the responsibilities that they will be required to take on in 2023.

Under the Health and Care Act 2022, 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) will be established on 1 July 2022. ICBs will take on the commissioning functions of existing clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) as well as delegated responsibility for primary medical services. Nine ICBs will also have delegated responsibility for one or more pharmaceutical services, general ophthalmic services and dental services.

As required by the Act, CCGs have worked with designate ICB leaders and engaged with local stakeholders to develop constitutions for each ICB and submitted these proposals to NHS England. While Ministers have engaged with designate chairs and chief executives, NHS England will ensure that leaders are aware of ICBs’ responsibilities.