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Integrated Care Boards

Asked by John GlenConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 23 March 2026UIN 120308

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that expert commissioning knowledge is maintained within the Offices for Pan-ICB Commissioning; and what steps he has taken to prevent a loss of specialist expertise during the staff transfer process.

Answered by Karin Smyth

NHS England is responsible for the design and operation of offices for pan-integrated care board commissioning and for managing associated workforce changes. In implementing these arrangements, NHS England has sought to retain experienced commissioning staff and specialist knowledge to support consistent, high‑quality commissioning across systems. Staff transfers have been managed in line with established employment and transfer arrangements, with a focus on continuity and skills retention. The Department continues to engage with NHS England on the implementation of commissioning reforms.

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