Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to section 2.1 of the 2021-22 priorities and operational planning guidance: Implementation guidance 25 March 2021, what the criteria is for determining exceptions to the proposal that Integrated Care System boundaries are changed to be consistent with upper tier boundaries from April 2022; and whether Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System meets those criteria for exception due to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow being on the Essex and Hertfordshire boundary.

Following discussions between the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement, integrated care system (ICS) boundaries which are not aligned with local authority boundaries are being reviewed to ensure future arrangements can support effective partnership working between the National Health Service and local government. Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS has been identified as one of the areas included in this boundary review. NHS England and NHS Improvement are currently undertaking this boundary review exercise and no final decisions have yet been made.

As this work progresses engagement with local areas will take place including with NHS bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders in the affected areas in order to appropriately assess any potential effects a change of ICS boundaries in an area may have, this will include consideration of any potential impact on service providers.