Agenda item - NHS Change

Standing Item – Update from NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board on recent and upcoming changes to local NHS services (copy attached).

22.1    This item was presented by Tanya Brown-Griffith, NHS Sussex Director for Joint Commissioning and Integrated Community Teams, Brighton & Hove.

22.2    Ms Brown-Griffith outlined recent and planned changes to NHS commissioning including

·       The planned abolition of NHS England (NHSE) and the absorption of NHSE functions by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)

·       The 50% reduction in Integrated Care Board (ICB) operating costs

·       The merger of Sussex and Surrey Heartlands ICBs

·       A shift in focus of ICB commissioning, away from year on year commissioning to a more strategic focus with a 3-5 year commissioning cycle

·       The implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan

·       The agreement of an ICB redundancy plan

·       The continuing development of primary and acute provider collaboratives

·       The development of a local Neighbourhood Health Alliance

·       The appointment of a new ICB Chair and CEO

·       The development of the Sussex Major Service Review

·       The progress of the ICB’s commissioning intentions.

22.3    Geoffrey Bowden asked about the future of patient voice and uncertainties about Healthwatch contracts. Ms Brown-Griffith confirmed that Healthwatch funding will continue for 2026-27. The ICB recognises the importance of patient voice and will continue to commission services.

22.4    Cllr Parrott asked about the impact of redundancies on ICB staff. Ms Brown-Griffith acknowledged that this is a very difficult time for staff. There is health and wellbeing support in place, but sickness rates have increased.

22.5    Cllr Hill asked about how NHSE’s oversight role would be continued. Ms Brown-Griffith replied that these duties would be taken up by DHSC.

22.6    Cllr Hill asked whether ICBs have worked well compared to the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) they replaced. Ms Brown-Griffith responded that ICBs are more focused and streamlined than CCGs, although some functions have been lost.

22.7    Cllr Hill asked why Sussex ICB was merging with Surrey Heartlands rather than another ICB. Ms Brown-Griffith replied that a merger was essential to manage the reduction in ICB operating costs. For many reasons, Surrey was the obvious areas for Sussex to merge with.