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More chief executives of the new integrated care boards have been announced, while three more systems have admitted they failed to hire someone during the first round of recruitment.

Following the announcement of four new chief executives yesterday morning the five London integrated care boards have now all revealed who will lead their new systems.

Meanwhile four systems in the Midlands have announced they’ve failed to recruit their chief executives during the first round of recruitment - Birmingham and Solihull; Coventry and Warwickshire; Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Black Country. This means five systems so far, including Greater Manchester, will have to repeat the recruitment process. 

So far 21 of the 42 ICS chief executive positions have been filled. There are currently two systems – Lincolnshire and Devon – who are yet to announce either a chief executive or chair designate, which could put them on the back foot as the systems progress over the next few months.

The majority of systems already had executive leads before the CEO recruitment process began, some of which had been recruited recently. However, if they wanted to be considered for the CEO post they were required to apply and compete for the role, which was expected to cause some tension.

So far 20 of the new recruits are incumbent ICS or CCG chiefs, while more announcements are expected over the next week. The announcement of the new CEO designates are a major step forward in the development of ICSs – however they will not be officially confirmed until the Health and Social Care Bill is passed through parliament next year.

NHSE takes charge on cancer

NHS England London will now lead, consult on and implement significant changes to the way paediatric cancer services in London are run, in response to a review by Sir Mike Richards.

NHSE has ordered the major shake-up after a long-running battle which saw national cancer director Cally Palmer accused of being ‘hugely conflicted’ because of her dual role as the chief executive of the trust at the centre of the storm.

The national commissioner yesterday issued its response to Sir Mike’s review of children’s cancer services in the capital and said the existing arrangements were not sufficient.

Sir Mike’s review, delivered just before the pandemic hit last year, recommended all children’s cancer principal treatment centres should be co-located with paediatric intensive care units. NHS England has now confirmed this would be mandated, with “no exceptions or special arrangements permitted”.