Abolishing NHS England. The Health Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 14 May 2026. It proposes to abolish NHS England and transfer the bulk of its functions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and to Integrated Care Boards.3
ICBs will become strategic commissioners of almost all services, including primary care, dentistry, ophthalmology and pharmacy. The number of ICBs was already reduced from 42 to 36 with effect from 1 April 2026 under the Integrated Care Boards (Establishment and Abolition) Order 2026.4
Blueteq comment: ICBs will require robust prior-approval workflows at the point they absorb specialised commissioning functions. The Blueteq HCD system is embedded in many ICBs and is the natural platform for managing the commissioning transition.
3. Health Bill: summary fact sheet. GOV.UK / DHSC. 14 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-bill-summary-fact-sheet/health-bill-summary-fact-sheet
4. Integrated care boards in England (Establishment and Abolition Order 2026). NHS England. April 2026. https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/integrated-care-boards-in-england/
