Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were established as part of the Health and Social Care Act in 2012, and replaced primary care trusts on 1 April 2013.

On 1 July 2022, integrated care systems (ICSs) became legally established through the Health and Care Act 2022, and CCGs were closed down.

ICSs are partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and pay for health and care services to improve the lives of people who live and work in their area.

Each integrated care system has two statutory elements, an integrated care partnership (ICP) and integrated care board (ICB).

Across England, local partnerships made up of all the public services that provide health and care – the NHS, GPs, local councils and the community and voluntary sector – plan how best to deliver these services so that they meet the needs of local people, are high quality and are affordable.

Partnership working has taken place across England for some years. These changes make it easier for people to get better access to better, more efficient and joined-up care, and to enjoy better health.

For more information on integrated care, visit the integrated care webpages.