What happened?
A new NHS organisation was set up on 1 April 2026.
It is called the NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board.
Many people call it N&S ICB.
What is an Integrated Care Board?
An Integrated Care Board is part of the NHS.
It:
- Plans NHS health services
- Decides how NHS money is spent
- Works with hospitals, GPs, councils, and charities
Its job is to help people live healthier lives.
What changed?
Two NHS organisations closed on 1 April 2026:
- NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
- NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board
They were replaced by one new NHS organisation.
This new organisation plans health services for:
- Norfolk and
- Suffolk
What happened in Essex?
Some health services in Essex moved to a different organisation.
These areas were:
- Colchester
- Tendring
They now come under NHS Essex Integrated Care Board.
Which areas does the new ICB cover?
The NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board now covers:
- All of Norfolk
- All of Suffolk
About 1.7 million people live in these areas.
Who runs the new organisation?
The new organisation is led by:
- Professor William Pope – Chair
- Dr Ed Garratt – Chief Executive
They work with a group of people who help them to make important decisions. This group is called the ‘board’. They have experience working in:
- Hospitals
- GP services
- Community health
- Mental health
- Social care
- Charities and voluntary groups
What does this mean for you?
For most people:
- NHS services stayed the same
- People still see the same doctors and nurses
- The same hospitals and GP practices are used
This change was about planning services, not stopping care.
Why did this happen?
This change happened to help the NHS:
- Work more closely together
- Share skills and knowledge
- Use money more wisely
- Improve health and wellbeing
Working as one organisation will make this easier.
Public meetings
The NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board meets in public.
Its first public meeting:
- Took place on 1 April 2026
- Started at 10am
- Was held online
- Was live streamed on YouTube
People can continue to watch meetings online.
Find out more
You can find more information on the NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB website.