Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report from the NHS Director – One Halton, which provided an update on the Model Integrated Care Board (ICB) Blueprint.

          On 1 April 2025, Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England, wrote to all ICB’s and NHS Trusts to provide further detail on the Government's Reform Agenda for the NHS.  The letter highlighted the significant progress made in planning for 2025/26 and outlined a move to a medium-term approach to planning, which would be shaped by a 10 year Health Plan and the outcome of the Spending Review.

          In order to achieve the ambitions it was noted that:

·       ICB’s would need to reduce their management costs by an average of 50%;

·       ICB’s would need to commission and develop Neighbourhood Health Models; and

·       NHS providers would need to reduce their corporate cost growth by 50% by quarter 3 of 2025/26, with the savings to be reinvested locally to enhance frontline services.

On 2 May 2025 the first draft Model ICB Blueprint was shared with all ICB’s, which outlined the future role and functions of ICB’s as strategic commissioners within the NHS.  The Blueprint set out a number of expectations and in order to respond effectively, NHS Cheshire & Merseyside had identified a programme of work to help meet the requirements of the document.  They had also established a Transition Task and Finish Group to oversee the organisational change and duties transfer.   

It was noted that the 31% staff reduction would inevitably have a local impact on headcount across Cheshire and Merseyside and consideration would need to be given on how services contained within the blueprint would continue to be delivered; some functions may transfer elsewhere.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.