NHS England’s Integrated Care Board Strategic Commissioning Framework

NHS England has published a Strategic commissioning framework, which aims to support all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to adopt a strategic commissioning approach from April 2026. The document sets out the principles of strategic commissioning, clarifies expectations of ICBs as the commissioners of most NHS services, and situates the approach within the emerging NHS operating model and the ambitions of the 10‑year NHS health plan.  

Looking specifically at housing and technology, in section 3.1, ‘Understanding the context’, the framework makes reference to housing, as follows 

“It should be possible to break down the integrated needs assessment by the agreed local places (typically at a health and wellbeing board level) and neighbourhoods that make up the ICB geography. In addition, ICBs should seek to gain an understanding of population projections, future local housing and local government-led growth plans and their potential impact on demand for healthcare services.”

And on technology, section 4.3 of the framework states:

“ICBs should build the role digital technology can play in how and what they commission into their ICB strategy and population health improvement plan. This includes the 5 key technologies – genomics, AI, wearable technologies, robotics and joined-up data – to drive innovation and transformation, as outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan. More will be set out in a Model Digital Blueprint once published in 2026/27 for guidance on “digital first approaches”.

Commenting on the plan, Jeremy Porteus, the Housing LIN’s CEO, said:

“We are proud to be part of a consortium working with the North East and North Cumbria ICB to identify a range of housing interventions and technology solutions that deliver improved health outcomes. We are specifically leading on assessing the future housing needs and preferences of older and disabled people across the NENC locality."