Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of appointing named board-level officers with responsibility for innovation to Integrated Care Boards.

No assessment has been made of the merits of appointing named board-level officers with responsibility for innovation. Integrated care boards (ICBs) should have the flexibility to design the membership to meet its needs, while ensuring the appropriate skills and experience necessary to properly discharge their functions.

The Government’s amendment to the Health and Care Bill would require the ICB to consider the skills, knowledge and experience it needs and mitigate against any gaps in expertise, including in its duty to promote innovation.