Changes to NHS organisations in the East of England
The structure of the NHS is changing to make healthcare services more efficient and reduce duplication.
From April 2026, our previous six ICBs became three larger organisations that will focus on providing system leadership for population health; setting evidence based and long-term population heath strategy; and working as healthcare payers to deliver this, maximising the value that can be created from available resources.
Why these changes are happening
These changes are part of a wider NHS transformation in response to challenging public finances.
The reorganisation aims to reduce administrative costs by around 50 per cent while refocusing ICBs on their core role as strategic commissioners.
This means they will concentrate on setting long-term health strategies for their populations and commissioning services, rather than direct delivery functions.
The changes also respond to the Darzi review, which found that the role of ICBs needed clarification to better redistribute resources and integrate care across the health system.
The new structure and leadership
Our three ICBs in the East of England region are:
- Essex ICB which is formed from Mid and South Essex ICB and the geographical areas of north east Essex and west Essex. It is chaired by Michael Thorne CBE.
- Central East ICB which has been formed from Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB, and Hertfordshire. It is chaired by by Robin Porter, the previous chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB, Herts and West Essex ICB, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB.
- Norfolk and Suffolk ICB It is chaired by Will Pope, previously chair of Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and chair of Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
Other providers
More information about integrated care systems can be found here.