From 1 April 2025, NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has taken on responsibility for the commissioning (planning and buying) of a range of specialised services that support people with a range of rare and complex conditions. They often involve treatments provided to patients with rare cancers, genetic disorders or complex medical or surgical conditions. These services were previously commissioned by NHS England.
We will be collaborating with other ICB’s in the South West region to plan these services, with NHS Somerset ICB taking on the ‘Principal Commissioner’ (i.e. lead organisation) role on our behalf. We are working with colleagues at NHS England as their staff transfer to NHS Somerset ICB to ensure a smooth continuation of all services.
This will improve how the NHS in Gloucestershire, and our One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) partners, can best serve our local population. It will allow us to bring planning and development work for these services together locally, helping us to ensure the best value from our resources and find quality improvements. It will also make it easier for us to engage with and listen to the people of Gloucestershire, leading to better outcomes and experiences for patients, and make best use of the expertise of our invaluable staff.