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Restructuring ICBs report - LGA responds
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee responds to the NAO report on restructuring Integrated Care Boards,
As the NHS and local government face significant pressures and change, we must reform together, not retreat into silos, and ensure councils are not left filling gaps in coordination, planning and system leadership. Reductions in ICB capacity risk weakening the partnership working between health and local government that is essential to improving population health and reducing inequalities.
“Councils remain committed to working with health partners to make this a success. Health and local government are two sides of the same coin, with decisions made by one directly affecting the other. As ICBs move towards larger footprints and a more strategic role, it is essential to maintain strong relationships, local knowledge and joint working at place and neighbourhood level.
“Restructuring must not simply shift pressures and costs to elsewhere in the system. The Government should commit DHSC and NHS England to working with local government to review Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding, assessment and dispute arrangements. There must be greater focus on evidence that changes in eligibility decisions and practice may be shifting costs from the NHS to councils. Any changes to CHC policy or practice must not result in unfunded cost-shunting to councils.”
