Health and Care Bill and NHS reform

The Government has published a bill setting out how it means to make significant changes to the way NHS services are developed and managed.

The Health and Care Bill is being considered by the House of Commons and is expected to become law later this year.

The changes include the NHS in England being divided up into 42 different areas called Integrated Care Systems (ICS). These are new partnerships between the organisations that are responsible for health and care needs across an area. These will replace the current system of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The bill will also give the Secretary of State greater responsibilities that are presently held within the NHS.

So what will this mean for North Tyneside?

The details are still being worked out and will depend on the guidance issued by the Government.

The current plan is that in April 2022, North Tyneside CCG will be replaced with The North East and North Cumbria ICS. This will be the largest ICS in England, serving over three million people in 13 different local authority areas. The ICS has told North Tyneside’s Health and Wellbeing Board that they are committed to local decision making at place level (i.e. North Tyneside).

The North East and North Cumbria ICS has existed in various different forms for over two years. Previously it has focused on delivering activities that local leaders felt were better managed on a larger geographical scale, such as workforce development, digital programmes, etc. The Health and Care Bill will give the ICS significant new powers and responsibilities as well as changing how the ICS has to work.

The NHS has more information about these changes here.

You can read more the North East and North Cumbria ICS at: https://www.northeastandnorthcumbriaics.nhs.uk/

If you have views about this bill and the changes it is introducing, you should contact your MP – Alan Campbell MP or Mary Glindon MP. You can find their details here.