The NHS body that commissions health services in Ealing is set to merge as part of a sweeping reorganisation of health services in the capital, after health leaders in North West and North Central London approved plans to combine their Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
The move will create a single strategic commissioner for 13 London boroughs, bringing together responsibility for NHS planning and funding for around 4.5 million people.
North West London ICB currently covers Ealing, along with Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster. Under the proposed merger, it will join forces with North Central London ICB, which oversees services in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.
Integrated Care Boards are the NHS bodies responsible for commissioning local health services. Each ICB sits within an Integrated Care System (ICS), managing budgets and working with providers – such as hospitals and GP practices – to deliver services aligned with the region’s broader care strategy. Their remit includes producing a joint five-year plan that supports the goals of the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), which brings together health, social care, and community organisations.
The two ICBs have spent recent months exploring how a closer partnership might improve efficiency and resilience while maintaining high-quality local care. After assessing a range of options—including remaining separate, forming a looser collaboration, or clustering with shared leadership—both Boards concluded that a full legal merger offered the strongest case.
Anita Charlesworth, acting chair of North West London ICB, said: “The government’s recent 10-year plan sets out an ambitious agenda to transform the NHS and reduce health inequalities.
“In North West London we are determined to improve quality and outcomes for all residents. Moving forward with a full merger means that we will be able to become the best possible strategic commissioner to deliver results for our population by enabling us to build an organisation that retains, attracts and develops the skills and talent necessary to deliver – both now and in the future.”
Paul Najsarek, chair of North Central London ICB and former chief executive of Ealing Council, described the decision as a proactive step. He said: “This option represents not a defensive approach to change, but one which is about embracing it.
“We carefully considered the options and were convinced that the case for organisational scale was clear and gives us the best possible opportunity.
“What was also clear from our discussions, at both board meetings, was that, while getting the initial decision right is crucial, it is only the start in terms of that pursuit, and delivery of, excellence. There is no complacency about the scale of the task which lies ahead.”
Frances O’Callaghan, chief executive of North Central London ICB, said: “By bringing together the best of both organisations, we would create a resilient and ambitious ICB that can continue to focus on improving access to health, reducing inequalities, moving services closer to the community through neighbourhood delivery, and ensuring the health system works better than it is today.”
Her North West London counterpart, Rob Hurd, added: “We want to build a stronger, more resilient organisation that enables our staff to thrive and allows us to serve our residents in the best way possible. Our shared view is that organisational scale is a key enabler to be an effective strategic commissioner, and a full merger is the right solution.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson, said: “We recognise the merger of North West London and North Central London Integrated Care Boards and remain focused on improving the health and wellbeing of people in Ealing.
“We work closely with NHS partners to deliver our Together in Ealing: Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023–2028, which aims to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes by strengthening what we call the building blocks of health – the essential conditions people need to thrive, such as access to quality education, job opportunities, and a healthy environment.
“Public health plays a central role in shaping services that reflect the needs of our communities and support better health for everyone.”
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