Key Summary
- NHS Sussex to cut costs by 53 percent, including job losses
- Plans to merge Sussex and Surrey ICBs, local bodies oppose the move
- Reforms aim to boost care quality, efficiency, and finances
An NHS Sussex report submitted to the East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board states that the Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been told to reduce its running cost to £18.76 from £39.83 per head of population.
Keeping in line with the Labour government’s 10-year health plan for England, NHS Sussex wants to cut its running cost by 53 percent along with job cuts.
NHS Sussex chair Stephen Lightfoot said the final numbers have not been finalised, but ‘a significant number of posts’ will be affected.
The report also aims to amalgamate the Sussex and Surrey ICBs from April 2026, as the government plans to cut running costs of ICBs and reduce their numbers.
Lightfoot said this will be complex to implement, but “would take the best from both of our systems with the aim of improving health outcomes, reducing health inequalities and securing the best value for money.”
This plan has been opposed by all the four top tier local authorities in Sussex and Surrey, as they feel it is against mayoral guidelines and might fail to be meaningful.
East Sussex County Council will be discussing this issue.
The report said NHS Sussex is focused on re-engaging staff and empowering patients and shifting care closer to home.
It said it was also focused on improving hospital productivity; embracing technology; contributing to national prosperity and reforming NHS structure for better delivery.
The report said Sussex does not have a plan on how to break even for 2025/26.
However, NHS Sussex said it has a balanced plan and the total funds required to operate a "safe and resilient" ICB were £12m over target.
