The ongoing mission of the Department of Health in the UK to improve the wellbeing of the population, reduce health inequalities, and nurture more unified interdepartmental relationships, will bring reform to organisational partnerships in the NHS. One aspect of this, will see Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s) replaced with Integrated Care Boards (ICB’s).

ICB’s will come into effect as an arm of the newly established Integrated Care Systems, responsible for planning the needs of the population, managing NHS budget, and arranging for the provision of health services within the new geographical boundaries. Whilst boundaries will remain largely unaffected, some changes to parameters will take place and regional boundaries will differ (A full summary of the boundary changes and impact can be found on the NHS Website).

Consisting of a chair, CEO, NHS representatives, GP’s and local authorities, ICB’s will take on the NHS commissioning functions of the CCGs as well as some of NHS England’s commissioning functions, with accountability for NHS spend and performance within the system. The majority of financial decisions will be made at local level, shifting away from fragmented payments systems toward a bundled approach. This means a greater focus on local health and care need, and less focus on secondary care as the primary treatment location. With this more holistic methodology, funding will be assigned based on which services are needed within communities and how patients can be treated locally and conveniently. Focussing on how a product brings value for the ICB in a holistic sense, e.g., how a product reduces hospitalisations, how it reduces work of staff, will be important to ensure optimal access and reimbursement.

The financial year 2022 – 2023 will act as a transitional year for the conversion, after which time CCGs will be abolished and all statutory functions along with assets and liabilities, along with many employees, will transfer to the ICB. Further adjustments are expected in 2023, you can follow us here to stay up to date with news and information on the upcoming changes.

Considering the demographics of each Integrated Care Board and how products slot into their holistic plan will be important considerations in regional market access and pricing in the UK. For more information, or to see how we can help you navigate these changes in your market access strategy, please reach out at discover@validinsight.com.