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The NHS is making some big changes to improve how care is delivered. These changes aim to make services more joined-up, fairer for everyone, and better prepared for the future.
What’s Changing?
As part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, the role of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) is evolving. ICBs are responsible for planning and funding health services in local areas. Key changes include:
A new focus: ICBs will concentrate more on improving overall health, reducing health inequalities, and making sure everyone can access high-quality care.
Working differently: Some responsibilities will be shared with local partners like hospitals and councils. ICBs will also receive less direct funding.
Smaller budgets: ICBs have been asked to cut their running costs by about half, spending no more than £19 per person.
More teamwork across regions: ICBs are joining forces across larger areas to work more efficiently. In the South East, six ICBs are already collaborating in this way.
Local government changes: Councils are exploring ways to merge into larger authorities, with the aim of aligning health and local government boundaries more closely.
A new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board – What’s Happening?
From 1 October 2025, NHS Frimley ICB and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) ICB have started working together under a shared leadership team. This is known as the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West and Frimley ICBs Cluster.
This is a step towards creating a new organisation: the NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, which will officially launch on 1 April 2026. It will serve around 2.5 million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
The new ICB will focus on:
strengthening partnership working across health and social care,
tackling health inequalities,
making the best use of financial resources and workforce, and ensure services are shaped around the needs of diverse communities.
Changes to Local Areas
To prepare for the new Thames Valley ICB, some areas are being realigned within the current Frimley footprint:
East Berkshire has now joined BOB ICB as part of the journey towards the new Thames Valley ICB;
Surrey Heath, Ash and Farnham are aligning to Surrey and Sussex ICB*,
North East Hampshire is aligning to Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB*.
*Alignment of Surrey Heath, Ash, Farnham and North East Hampshire will be achieved by 1 April, 2026, until this time these footprints will remain part of the NHS Frimley ICB and BOB ICB cluster.
What’s Next?
Over the coming months, work will continue to shape the new organisation. A formal consultation with staff will take place once the proposed structure is ready. Meanwhile, ICBs across the South East are working together to improve services, reduce duplication, and make the most of shared resources. This regional approach helps ensure that every pound spent delivers the greatest benefit for patients.
The NHS is making some big changes to improve how care is delivered. These changes aim to make services more joined-up, fairer for everyone, and better prepared for the future.
What’s Changing?
As part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, the role of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) is evolving. ICBs are responsible for planning and funding health services in local areas. Key changes include:
A new focus: ICBs will concentrate more on improving overall health, reducing health inequalities, and making sure everyone can access high-quality care.
Working differently: Some responsibilities will be shared with local partners like hospitals and councils. ICBs will also receive less direct funding.
Smaller budgets: ICBs have been asked to cut their running costs by about half, spending no more than £19 per person.
More teamwork across regions: ICBs are joining forces across larger areas to work more efficiently. In the South East, six ICBs are already collaborating in this way.
Local government changes: Councils are exploring ways to merge into larger authorities, with the aim of aligning health and local government boundaries more closely.
A new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board – What’s Happening?
From 1 October 2025, NHS Frimley ICB and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) ICB have started working together under a shared leadership team. This is known as the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West and Frimley ICBs Cluster.
This is a step towards creating a new organisation: the NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, which will officially launch on 1 April 2026. It will serve around 2.5 million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
The new ICB will focus on:
strengthening partnership working across health and social care,
tackling health inequalities,
making the best use of financial resources and workforce, and ensure services are shaped around the needs of diverse communities.
Changes to Local Areas
To prepare for the new Thames Valley ICB, some areas are being realigned within the current Frimley footprint:
East Berkshire has now joined BOB ICB as part of the journey towards the new Thames Valley ICB;
Surrey Heath, Ash and Farnham are aligning to Surrey and Sussex ICB*,
North East Hampshire is aligning to Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB*.
*Alignment of Surrey Heath, Ash, Farnham and North East Hampshire will be achieved by 1 April, 2026, until this time these footprints will remain part of the NHS Frimley ICB and BOB ICB cluster.
What’s Next?
Over the coming months, work will continue to shape the new organisation. A formal consultation with staff will take place once the proposed structure is ready. Meanwhile, ICBs across the South East are working together to improve services, reduce duplication, and make the most of shared resources. This regional approach helps ensure that every pound spent delivers the greatest benefit for patients.
