The largest ICB in England responsible for a £12bn NHS annual investment has been established in London.
North Central London and North West London ICBs have formally come together to form NHS West and North London ICB.
The new organisation will serve a population of around 4.5m people across 13 boroughs, working in partnership with NHS providers, local authorities, GPs, voluntary and community organisations, and local residents.
Mike Bell, chair of NHS West and North London ICB, said: ‘While today marks a significant milestone, it is not a point of completion. The new ICB is standing up in a context of national reform and significant cost reduction. We did not choose the scale or pace of change required, but we have taken responsibility for responding in a way that protects our ability to lead, partner and deliver.
‘We are being presented with an opportunity to think differently about how we improve the health and wellbeing of our populations.
‘That's not just today, but for many years to come. It's a real challenge, but one we must rise to, and I believe we can.'
Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management.
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