Recommendation 22

We have heard a range of compelling arguments for particular professions to have greater representation on Integrated Care Boards and are sympathetic to the concerns that have been raised with us about the exclusion of expertise. However, we are also sympathetic to the Government’s intention to give ICSs flexibility when determining which professions are most relevant to their local needs. Our concern is that it is unclear how the Government will monitor and evaluate whether its approach is the correct one. If data is not held centrally on how many, for example, public health experts or social care providers or clinicians, are on ICBs and no assessment is made of the adequacy of the representation, it is not possible to understand whether the Government’s flexible approach is yielding the results it intends. It will also not be clear whether there are any patterns of under-representation.