EXCITING PARTNERSHIP NEWS AS ICBS SET TO MERGE

21 February 2020

The three Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across Coventry and Warwickshire are set to become one after GP Practices voted on NHS services structure.

Currently, NHS services are planned and paid for by three separate Integrated Care Boards, NHS Coventry and Rugby ICB, NHS South Warwickshire ICB and NHS Warwickshire North ICB, all our partners involved in our work to deliver better care for the communities we serve.

GPs voted for the three organisations to become a single merged organisation, offering stronger, more consistent and quicker decision making and reducing duplication and delays in implementing services for patients.

Adrian Stokes, Accountable Officer, Coventry and Rugby ICB and Warwickshire North ICB and Gillian Entwistle, Accountable Officer, South Warwickshire ICB said “The Member Practices of the three Integrated Care Boards in Coventry and Warwickshire have told us decisively that they would like us to start the process of becoming a single merged organisation. We believe that this is the best outcome for our population, our practices and our health system, allowing us to most effectively work together to deliver the goals of the NHS Long Term Plan and improve health care for all the residents of Coventry and Warwickshire. We are grateful to all our GP Member Practices and stakeholders who have taken the time to be involved in this process and given us their support and feedback.”

The Governing Bodies of all three organisations also endorsed the option of a merger as being the best for the local population.

Following the vote, the ICBs will now apply to NHS England and Improvement for authorisation to become a single organisation. If authorisation is granted the change would be likely to happen in April 2021.

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