ICB Chief Nurse Network

The ICB Chief Nurse Network is an exciting initiative by The Queen’s Nursing Institute and NHS Confederation to support nurse leadership within integrated care systems.

Recognising that ICB Chief Nurses have very different leadership roles, our QNI and NHS Confederation partnership will work with ICB Nurses to achieve the objectives of strong system leadership, integrating care and tackling inequalities in health.

Both organisations recognise the need for a clinical leadership approach that focusses on building relationships, broad collaboration across provider organisations, and enhancing the transformation agenda across the system, which will underpin and inform the new network’s ethos and aims. Chief Nurses of Integrated Care Boards are warmly encouraged to join. Please note, you do not need to be a Queen’s Nurse to join the network.

The network is chaired by Louise Patten, ICS Strategic Advisor at the NHS Confederation. Louise is a practising District Nurse, and a Fellow of the QNI. The first meeting was held online on 30th March 2023.

Integrated Care Systems in England

Statutory ICSs comprise 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) responsible for planning and funding most NHS services in their area, and integrated care partnerships (ICPs) committees that bring together partners (including local government, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, NHS organisations and others) to develop a health and care strategy for the area. Working through their ICB and ICP, ICSs have four key aims:

• improving outcomes in population health and health care
• tackling inequalities in outcomes, experience and access
• enhancing productivity and value for money
• helping the NHS to support broader social and economic development.

Find out more about Integrated Care Boards in England.

With thanks to our partner Hallam Medical. Hallam Medical are a specialist framework accredited healthcare recruitment agency, providing temporary clinicians to support NHS and private healthcare services throughout the UK. They support Primary Care, Urgent Care, Community Care and 111 Pathways Service across the country with the provision of highly skilled Advanced Practitioners, 111 Clinical Advisors and Community specialist.