This week, the HASC team met with a long-term conditions commissioner who informed us that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have been instructed to cut their running costs by 50% by the end of the year. These cuts have come from Sir Jim Mackey, NHS England’s incoming chief executive, and could result in up to 12,500 job losses across NHS Trusts. You can read more about his announcement here: The Guardian
It is not clear if these cuts will impact frontline services. We will continue to urge ICBs to prioritise ME/CFS and Long COVID in their funding decisions and recognise the long-term costs of providing inadequate care and support. We will reach out to ICBs with whom we have established relationships to advocate for the protection of essential services and for new services to be commissioned where needed.
We will keep you updated on any new developments as they arise.