Hundreds of Gloucestershire NHS job cuts could be on the horizon as part of a national plan to merge local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) with neighbouring counties. NHS England has unveiled a new blueprint to consolidate health authority structures, aiming to cut running costs by 50% and reduce non-clinical leadership by half.
Gloucestershire currently operates its own ICB, but under the proposed reforms, responsibilities would shift to larger regional NHS bodies and neighbourhood-level providers. Health officials in Gloucestershire were informed of the impending changes during a board meeting on 8 May.
Non-clinical staff expected to face redundancies
Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, warned of “significant reductions” in non-clinical roles as part of the restructuring. “There will be human impact,” he said, confirming a freeze on non-clinical recruitment unless the roles directly affect patient or staff safety or are deemed business critical.
The move is part of the government’s strategy to streamline the NHS and eliminate duplicate administrative functions. McNamara noted that some corporate back-office duties in Gloucestershire are currently being performed by multiple bodies, leading to inefficiencies.
ICB changes won’t affect front-line healthcare
While jobs may be lost in administration and leadership, the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board assured that the proposed structural changes would not affect day-to-day healthcare services. “The board will continue to play a critical role in strategic commissioning, improving health outcomes, and reducing inequalities,” a spokesperson stated.
The board also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong local partnerships, even as the ICB footprint expands. “Place-based arrangements” will remain central to the delivery of healthcare, despite the push for a more cost-effective regional model.
Background: NHS England’s national cost-cutting drive
The reform follows NHS England’s wider guidance on redefining roles and responsibilities within ICBs across the country. These changes are designed to address budgetary pressures and enhance operational efficiency across the health system, especially within non-clinical and administrative operations.
More details on how ICBs will be clustered and restructured are expected over the coming months, with local NHS trusts continuing consultations and impact assessments.
