The transfer, which had been scheduled for April 2026, includes vaccinations and screening, sexual assault and abuse, specified specialised and primary care services.

ICBs are expected to lead the commissioning of services with the support of NHS regional teams from April 2026.

By no later than the end of April 2026, ICBs are also required to identify one ICB within their region who will host an Office of Pan-Integrated Care Board Commissioning (OPIC) from April 2027.  

The move is designed to support the Government's 10-Year Health Plan ambition to establish ICBs as strategic commissioners for all but the most specialised services.

Sarah Walter, director of integrated care at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘ICBs will still be expected to lead the commissioning of these services from April 2026, with support from regional teams, and will need to take on some additional responsibilities for managing them.

‘For primary care services this will include vaccinations, screening, and child health information, although many ICBs already deliver some of these programmes.

‘However, the reorganisation of ICBs over the past year has affected capacity, and some commissioning expertise - particularly in primary care - has been lost. The delay in transferring additional commissioning staff to ICBs will prolong this challenge and without adequate support from NHSE regional teams, there is a risk that the management of some primary care services could be affected. This may also impact how primary care services are commissioned in future.'