NHS England set to take Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board out of special measures

The hard work and commitment of staff has been praised after it was announced that a health provider is set to be moved out of special measures by NHS England.

Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been receiving specialist support since August 2021, when serious issues were identified relating to quality, performance and finances.

Following a period of sustained improvement, NHS England confirmed that the rating could be relaxed after a number of targets were achieved.

Clare Panniker, regional director for NHS England, said: “This is really great news for the region and for our patients.

“While there is still work to do, the big improvements recognised here come as a result of relentless hard work from all involved to tackle the specific issues faced by Norfolk and Waveney.”

Key improvements included the ICB’s performance in urgent and emergency care services, with virtual wards established at all three acute trusts, and in discharge planning and patient flow, helping to reduce the length of time people stayed in hospital and decreasing their need to be readmitted.

Further progress was made in ambulance response times and handovers, and in reducing the longest wait times for people requiring a mental health bed.

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive officer of Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the hard work and dedication of our 27,000 NHS staff has been recognised.

“Together, we have made the improvements needed to exit the support programme.

“This is just the first step of our ambition to improving individual services for local people and making the whole health and care system work better together to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.

“There’s much to do over the coming months and years, but I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is working so hard in health, care and public services across Norfolk and Waveney.”

NHS England will continue to monitor the ICB, which is responsible for managing the NHS budget and providing health services, to ensure the changes are sustained.

Patricia Hewitt, chairman of the ICB, praised the level of progress.

“This is a tremendous demonstration of the hard work and commitment of NHS staff working together to improve local health services,” she said. “I want to thank everyone involved.”