Surrey Heartlands and Sussex ICBs are to cluster as part of efforts to reduce costs, the ICBs have confirmed.
This is the latest in a series of merging and clustering moves from across ICBs in England (see map).
This now makes 13 clusters or mergers confirmed across the 42 ICBs.
A spokesperson for Surrey Heartlands ICB said: ‘As with all ICBs in the England, we have been exploring joint working, to fulfil the requirements being asked of us by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.
‘Our proposal to work collaboratively with NHS Sussex is supported by NHS England and we are now working together on transition plans.’
Last week, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire ICBs also revealed plans to cluster in board meeting papers after it was felt that ‘neither organisation was viable on their own given the significant cost reductions’.
However, it said this clustering arrangement was ‘not necessarily a route to a merger’.
ICBs were told in March they must cut their running costs by around 50% by October 2025.
In May it was revealed that the ICB running cost envelope will be reduced to £18.76 per head, and that this target must be reached by the end of Q3 in 2025/26.
The chief executive of NHS England, Sir James Mackey, revealed earlier this year that the variation in spend per ICB per head previously ranged from £49 to just less than £21 per head, therefore targets might be different for different ICBs.
LLR revealed that its combined target with Northamptonshire ICB was £16.7m, or 31% of its running costs.
Last month, Frimley ICB also told Healthcare Leader that the ICBs across the South East were meeting to explore the ‘potential benefits of aligning plans’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Talks are also taking place with other neighbouring ICBs impacted by possible changes to existing boundaries.’
