NHS England has ordered its 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to halve running costs, aiming to save money as part of a national financial “reset”. Up to 12,500 jobs around half the ICB workforce are at risk.

Many boards have paused job cuts because they cannot meet the £1 billion redundancy bill, sparking a standoff between NHS England, the Department of Health and the Treasury. The uncertainty has left staff stressed and caused delays to the wider ICB reorganisation.

Meanwhile, a report by the Child Health Workforce Alliance (including the RCPCH and NSPCC) warns the cuts pose serious risks to child health and safeguarding, ahead of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan workforce strategy.  It states, “The planned merger of NHS England with the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as the 50% reduction in ICB capacity, means statutory responsibilities to safeguard children are affected,” with particular implications for disabled children and young people, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those at risk of abuse and neglect