The NHS in the East of England is facing an uncertain future, as senior figures warn of sweeping budget cuts, large-scale job losses, and a major reorganisation of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Amanda Lyes, Director of Workforce and People at the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, described the current climate as “unprecedented” during a board meeting held on Tuesday.
Government directives issued in March require all ICBs in England to halve their running costs in an effort to reduce inefficiencies and boost productivity across the health service.
As a result, the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB is tasked with cutting £17 million from its operating budget by December 2025, under instructions from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Currently, around 3,200 staff are employed by the six ICBs operating in the eastern region. With each expected to slash operational expenses by 50%, hundreds of NHS workers are likely to face redundancy.
The restructuring will also see the number of ICBs in the region reduced from six to three.
Ms Lyes said discussions are ongoing about merging ICBs and offering retraining opportunities to affected staff through partnerships with local colleges. Mergers are set to begin in September, although specific details are yet to be finalised.
Three structural models are being considered for the regional reorganisation.
Model A, for instance, groups Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, and Suffolk together; Model B and Model C propose different configurations. A final decision is expected by June.
Dr Ed Garratt, Chief Executive of the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, warned that the shake-up posed a “significant redundancy risk” to NHS support staff, not just locally but across the country.
He emphasised the importance of helping staff transition to other industries, some of which are actively recruiting.
Meanwhile, Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), voiced concern that the restructure could result in his trust’s acute and community services being managed by different ICBs—potentially complicating service delivery. He described the proposed changes as “incredibly disruptive”.
A DHSC spokesperson defended the plans, stating that the government’s intention is to “cut bureaucracy and reinvest in frontline services,” ensuring that NHS funding is used more efficiently.
The NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare employers, has also expressed concern.
Sarah Walter, Director of the Integrated Care Systems Network, urged caution, noting that such rapid change could undermine efforts to improve patient care. The organisation is pushing for a voluntary redundancy scheme to soften the blow to affected workers.
