South East London and South West London ICBs are exploring clustering in order to deliver the new NHS model ICB blueprint, they have confirmed.
The ICBs said they had ‘no plans’ to merge organisations, with both ICBs remaining statutory bodies in their own right. However, they added that the ICBs were considering ‘options’ including clustering and that it was at an ‘early, exploratory stage’.
Earlier this year, 29 ICBs confirmed their plans for ‘closer collaboration’ in the form of either clustering or merging, alongside two ICBs planning on working ‘closely’ or ‘aligning’ with another ICB.
A spokesperson for both ICBs said: ‘We are exploring options for closer collaboration between South West and South East London Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to strengthen delivery of the NHS Model Integrated Care Board Blueprint.
‘Our focus is upon shared functions and resources where it makes sense. We have no plans for merging organisations and both ICBs will remain statutory bodies in their own right. This work is at an early, exploratory stage.’
Earlier this month MPs raised concerns that the Government was repeating ‘poor practices’ by announcing the major reforms to the NHS without delivery plans and funding in place.
ICBs were told to make 50% cuts to their systems in March, with redundancies across ICBs are estimated to cost around £1bn in total.
Funding for redundancies is to come from ‘within the existing funding settlement’ for the NHS, the Government confirmed earlier this month.
However, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) added they will ‘not be cutting any investment to the NHS, frontline or backroom’ and that ‘further detail will come forward in the coming weeks’.
