The 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England that are responsible for planning, commissioning, and funding NHS services also have a legal duty to involve people in their area in these processes.
The Health and Care Act 2022 states that citizens, their carers and representatives have the right to be involved in the planning of healthcare services, the development and consideration of proposals for changes in how those services are provided, and in decisions affecting the operation of those services.
But just how easy is it for a member of the public to get involved with the work the ICB does?
Can an individual member of the public question plans or raise objections to plans devised by the ICB?
First a quick look at the make-up of ICBs and who must be represented on the board.
Make up of the ICB
Each board must fulfil requirements set by the Health and Care Act 2022 and NHS England guidance and have at least 10 members that include the following:
- a chair and chief executive
- a director of finance, medical director and director of nursing
- at least two non-executive members
- at least three ‘partner’ members to bring ‘knowledge and a perspective from their sectors’, nominated by NHS trusts, primary medical services and local authorities in each ICB area respectively
- one member should bring knowledge of mental health services
- no board member should be appointed if their involvement in the private health care sector would impact on their role.
There is no obligation to have an expert in public health or social care on the board, however, there will always be at least one and maybe more representatives from a local authority, and this can often cover public health and social care.
Full article in The Lowdown, 17 February 2025