Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Paragraph: 52
Lack of clarity on ICS deliverables hinders public and parliamentary accountability.
Conclusion
We share the concern expressed by the NAO about the lack of clarity around what ICSs are expected to deliver within their core purposes. While we are conscious of, and agree with, the need to avoid micromanaging ICSs, we believe that DHSC needs to provide additional clarity about what exactly ICSs are expected to deliver. Only then can the public, and parliamentarians, begin to assess the success of ICSs.
Government Response Summary
The government deflected from providing clarity on what ICSs are expected to deliver, instead discussing the public availability of ICB board member information and their discretion in appointing additional members.
Paragraph Reference:
52
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
ICBs are required to publish their constitution, which includes a list of ICB board members, in accordance with the Health and Care Act 2022. ICBs have made board member information, including members’ expertise and knowledge, publicly available on their websites. Keeping records of ICB membership centrally with DHSC will be duplicating efforts as all the information is publicly available. Where the ICB proposes a change to its board membership this will be discussed with the NHS England regional team as part of the constitutional amendment approval process. The Health and Care Act 2022 sets out membership requirements of the ICBs that include representatives from NHS trusts, primary care and local authorities. However, the local areas can go beyond the legislative minimum requirements in order to address their local needs. Most ICBs have used this discretion and appointed additional members such as members for public health, VCSE representatives and others based on their local area needs. DHSC will continue to work closely with NHS England and ICBs to ensure that the current arrangements are working.