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National Network for ICB Chief Nurses Announced

23 February 2023

The NHS Confederation and The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) have announced the creation of a new national Network for Chief Nurses of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England.

The new Chief Nurse Network reflects an agreement to work together more closely on areas of common interest around the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the integration agenda. The two organisations will work together to maximise their collective impact to benefit policy and practice, and thereby care on an individual and population basis. Each organisation brings significant capability, expertise and stakeholder support to this formal partnership.

The two organisations have a shared ambition to support the development of clinical leadership within integrated care systems, and to support the objectives behind integrating care, improving population health and tackling inequalities. This direction of travel aligns with the overall aim, purpose and values of the QNI and I am very much looking forward to modelling a partnership way of working with the NHS Confederation.

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive, QNI

It is intended that the Network, facilitated and supported by NHS Confederation and the QNI, will enable Chief Nurses to share ideas, experience and learning as ICBs develop. 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 ethos of the new Network.

Matthew Taylor CBE, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation

The new Network will be 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 of the Network will take place online on Thursday 30^th March, at 12 pm.

For more information and to apply to join the network, visit: https://qni.org.uk/explore-qni/icb-chief-nurse-network/

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Integrated Care Systems

Following the passage of the 2022 Health and Care Act, Integrated Care Systems were formalised as legal entities with statutory powers and responsibilities. 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.

For further information see: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/integrated-care-boards-in-england/

The Queen’s Nursing Institute was founded in 1887 to organise the training of District Nurses in the United Kingdom. Today it supports all nurses working in community settings to deliver excellent healthcare to individuals, families and communities, where and when they need it. www.qni.org.uk .

The NHS Confederation is a membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It promotes collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care and reducing health inequalities. The NHS Confederation has an established ICS network: https://www.nhsconfed.org/ics