What is happening to the local NHS?

As part of the current reforms of the NHS, the Government has given the go-ahead for the establishment of the new NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB) from 1 April 2026. The new ICB will be responsible for commissioning health services like hospitals, GP practices, eye care, dentists and pharmacies across the Thames Valley.

This new organisation will bring together NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) with NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board. Both are currently responsible for commissioning local health services and serve a combined population of around 2.5 million people.

The reforms will ensure that all ICBs across the country work as strategic commissioners to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and provide access to high-quality health care.

Commissioning intentions

To ensure this happens locally, they have developed commissioning intentions for the new Thames Valley ICB which outline strategic priorities and ambitions for the next three to five years. These include:

• Those health services we want to focus on
• How we aim to improve care for local people
• Where we plan to invest resources to have the biggest impact

Share your views

Local stakeholders can further shape these commissioning intentions by sharing their ideas and views.

To do this:

• Visit the BOB ICB engagement platform Your Voice BOB
• If this is your first visit to the site you will need to register to access the platform, but this will only take a few minutes
• View the Developing the NHS Thames Valley section which includes details on the Thames Valley Commissioning Intentions 2026 – 2030
• In this section you will be able to download the full commissioning intentions document
• You can leave your comments in the discussion forum on the webpage
• The closing date for submitting feedback is Sunday 11 January 2026