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<p>The Health and Care Act 2022 established integrated care boards (ICBs) and sets
out a specific duty for ICBs in Section 14Z35 to reduce inequalities. It states that
each ICB must, in the exercise of its functions, have regard to the need to reduce
inequalities between persons with respect to their ability to access health services,
and reduce inequalities between patients with respect to the outcomes achieved for
them by the provision of health services.</p><p>ICBs and its partner trusts are also
expected to seek the views of underserved groups during formulation of their Joint
Forward Plans.</p><p>NHS England has a legal duty to annually assess the performance
of each ICB and publish a summary of its findings. In undertaking this assessment,
NHS England will consider how successfully each ICB has discharged its duties set
out by the Act including the duty as to reducing inequalities. The annual assessment
for 2022/23 is expected to be completed by end of July 2023 and will be shared with
ICB chairs. NHS England will also publish the outcome of all annual assessments within
its own annual report.</p>
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