Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to (a) review and (b) increase the number of patient representatives included on Integrated Care Boards.

The Health and Care Act 2022 sets out minimum membership requirements of integrated care boards (ICBs) that include representatives from National Health Service trusts, primary care, and local authorities. However, the local areas can, by local agreement, go beyond the legislative minimum requirements in order to address their local needs.

The constitutions of ICBs are expected to include principles and arrangements for how the ICB will work with patients and communities. ICBs are also legally bound under section 13Q of the National Health Service Act 2006 to involve the public in the commissioning of services for NHS patients. ICBs also must set out how they plan to execute this duty in their joint forward plans.

Currently there are no plans for the Department to review and mandate any additional requirements for patient representation on ICBs.