About Central East ICB
Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for making decisions and overseeing the delivery of high quality, safe, and affordable health and care services for people in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Peterborough.
Central East ICB looks after the NHS budget for 3.5 million people in our area. We make sure people receive safe, high‑quality care and that public money is used well. Our guiding question is ‘What best serves our population?’
As commissioners of NHS services for our area, we work with local people and communities and use information and insights to make clear decisions about the services that are needed, the outcomes we expect and the quality of care that people should expect to receive.
We look at health needs across our area to decide where care is needed most and how to improve people’s health.
- We set the direction for the health system across our area.
- We manage the risks that affect people’s care.
- We check that services deliver good outcomes.
We work closely with other health, care, voluntary sector and community organisations. Together, we aim to improve lives and keep the NHS strong for the future.
Areas of focus
We have three main areas of focus.
Making it easier to get care
People should be able to find and use NHS services without stress. Care should feel simple and joined up. We want to:
- make services easier to access and use
- offer care closer to home where possible
- fix problems when services feel confusing or disconnected
If getting help feels complicated, we look at how care is organised and change it.
Using NHS money well
We must make sure the NHS can afford to care for people now and in the future. We will
- use resources where they make the biggest difference
- reduce care that adds little or no value
- support new and better ways of working
Doing more of what helps and less of what doesn’t will help us improve care over time.
Helping people stay healthy and able to work
Good health helps people stay independent and take part in daily life – supporting both individuals and the wider community. Our focus is on
- helping people recover from illness
- supporting people to manage long‑term conditions
- helping people stay in work where possible
By staying focused on what best serves our population, we can make a real difference.
How we work
We make clear choices about what we are commissioning and why. We explain what results we expect and how we will check progress. We use simple improvement principles to guide our work:
- Clear priorities — focusing on the things that matter most
- Good use of data and insight — understanding people’s needs
- Testing and learning quickly — trying new ideas and improving fast
- Reliable services — making sure care works well every time
This helps us turn plans into real improvements for people.
Working with partners
Different organisations have different roles:
- Providers of health services (such as GPs, pharmacies, dentists and optometrists, hospitals and community services) work together to solve daily problems and run services safely.
- NHS England regional teams continue to oversee performance and offer support.
- Local authorities lead on public health, prevention, and the wider factors that affect health.
- Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations provide a range of wellbeing, social and practical support for people in their local communities
By being clear about who does what, we help the system run smoothly and avoid confusion.
You can find out more on the Integrated Care Board website (https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/). Here are some pages that you might find useful:
Feedback and complaints – information about how to give feedback on the NHS services you receive and how to raise concerns or issues.
Funding your care – how to apply for an individual funding request for the ICB to pay for treatment that isn’t routinely offered on the NHS, information about continuing healthcare for adults or children and information and personal health budgets
Your health and care – information Patient transport, Vaccs and Imms (including Childhood imms, flu and Covid) , and your rights .
Right to Choose – You have a right to choose your GP practice or where you have other NHS treatment. Here we explain your choices in healthcare, where to find information to help choose, and when you cannot choose.
ICB Board (the ICB’s decision-making and leadership group) – find out who is on the board, how to join meetings and see public meeting papers which include lots of information including performance reports.
Our Way – Strategy to Delivery – a five-year plan that sets out where Central East ICB will focus its efforts and investments so as to improve access to services and the health and wellbeing of local people.
For more information please visit, Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) website. For further general enquiries contact Central East Integrated Care board here: www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/contact/general-enquiries/
Central East Integrated Care Board Contact Details are
Phone 0800 148 8890 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, excluding English Bank Holidays
Email blmkicb.contactus@nhs.net
Website https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/
Postal address
Central East ICB, Gemini House, Bartholomew’s Walk, Cambridgeshire Business Park, Angel Drove, Ely CB7 4EA