The NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (N&S ICB) will become operational and legally established from 1 April 2026.

N&S ICB will take on all the planning and commissioning functions previously held by its two predecessor organisations, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, which will be abolished on 1 April 2026.

The same responsibilities for the Colchester and Tendring areas of Essex will transfer to NHS Essex ICB, which will also become operational and legally established from 1 April 2026.

The N&S ICB geographical area covers the entirety of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk with a population of approximately 1.7 million.

This reorganisation of ICBs, alongside wider reforms across the NHS and public services, is part of the UK Government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

The N&S ICB is set to hold its first meeting in public on Wednesday 1 April at 10am. The meeting will be held virtually and live streamed to YouTube.

The N&S ICB will be chaired by Professor William Pope and Dr Ed Garratt will serve as chief executive.

Their colleagues on the Board include respected health and care professionals with deep experience across NHS executive leadership, primary care, acute hospital management, voluntary‑sector leadership, system transformation, and clinical practice.

Together, they bring decades of senior‑level expertise spanning strategy, operations, commissioning, improvement, and community engagement.

Commenting on the new organisation and the opportunities for the future, Dr Ed Garratt, says: “The creation of this new organisation marks an exciting moment for our system. By bringing together talented and experienced professionals from across Norfolk and Suffolk, we have a real opportunity to strengthen partnerships, deepen collaboration, and make better use of our shared expertise. Working as one, we can drive meaningful improvements in health and wellbeing for the communities we serve across both counties.”