The new NHS Surrey & Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been created through the merger of NHS Surrey Heartlands and NHS Sussex, and will be responsible for planning and funding health services across both counties.
The changes mean Farnham, along with Surrey Heath and Ash, will move from the Frimley health system into the new Surrey and Sussex structure, aligning NHS boundaries with local authority areas.
Health leaders say the move will create a “leaner organisation” and reduce duplication, allowing more funding to be directed to frontline care.
Ian Smith, chair of the new board, said: “The creation of our new organisation is part of wider NHS reform announced by the Government last year, aimed at strengthening roles and responsibilities and reducing duplication so more funding can be directed to frontline care.
“The new ICB will be a leaner organisation focused on our role as strategic commissioner – that means getting the very best use from the health budget for our population by aligning funding and resources strategically, with long-term population health outcomes.”
Karen McDowell, chief executive, said bringing the two systems together “makes strategic sense” given existing shared services across the region.
She added: “It also gives us the opportunity to build on our collective strengths for the benefit of patients and local communities.”
However, she confirmed the changes will involve a reduction in the workforce as part of the shift towards a more streamlined organisation.
NHS leaders said the reorganisation will not directly change how or where patients receive care.
The new body will work with organisations including Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which already provide services across both counties.
A five-year health and care plan for Surrey and Sussex is due to be published later this year.
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