The move to give the Mayors of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire greater oversight of NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) is notable, potentially marking a new phase in health devolution. Enabling ICB Chairs to also serve as Mayoral Health Commissioners, accountable to both the NHS and elected mayors, aims to test ‘the Bevanite foundation of the NHS' and whether devolved leadership can accelerate progress on prevention and health inequalities.
Whether this is a genuine game-changer remains to be seen. Greater Manchester has been here before with earlier health devolution delivering less autonomy than anticipated. ICBs will remain accountable to the Secretary of State and national priorities. With limited detail on how these roles will operate, it is not yet clear whether this will result in a genuine sharing of power and influence. And some of these links are already being mirrored elsewhere, with the 10-Year Health Plan proposing mayoral representation on ICBs, suggesting the reforms may not be as unique as they appear.
