Professor Patrick Vernon OBE Reflects on His Tenure as Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB

At the end of September, Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FrHistS will step down as Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB), closing a significant chapter in his career dedicated to tackling health inequalities and promoting social value.

Earlier this month, Patrick chaired his final board meeting and used the occasion to reflect on the journey, the achievements of the ICB, and the people who have shaped its work since its inception in 2022.

Championing Health Inequalities

Patrick first joined the ICB as a Non-Executive Director with a specific remit around health inequalities, the first such appointment in the country. Nearly three years later, as Chair, he leaves behind a legacy of pioneering work to close health gaps and strengthen collaboration across the system.

Among the achievements he highlighted were:

Balancing the books: Since 2022, Birmingham and Solihull has been one of the few ICBs nationally to maintain financial stability.
The Future Fund: A £20 million fund, created in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Council, which continues to support grassroots organisations tackling health inequalities.
A Health Inequalities Strategy: Launched in 2023, it identified six key priority areas for improving life expectancy and health outcomes. This included working with the Birmingham Race Impact Group on 19 pledges to tackle racial inequalities.
Embedding social value: With £1 billion spent annually on procurement, Patrick ensured contracts required suppliers not only to deliver services but also to support community organisations and strategies aimed at narrowing health inequalities.

A Legacy of Collaboration

Patrick emphasised that these achievements were only possible because of the people and partnerships he worked alongside. He expressed gratitude to the executive team led by David Melbourne, his fellow Non-Executive Directors, and the ICB’s system partners across hospitals, trusts, local authorities, GPs, Healthwatch, and patient groups.

Above all, he paid tribute to the staff of the ICB:

“You are talented, you are resourceful and, whatever changes may come, you’ve made a real contribution to the lives of the citizens and patients of Birmingham and Solihull. I salute you in your endeavours in making us probably one of the best ICBs in the country.”

Looking Ahead

From October, leadership of the ICB will pass to Danielle, who Patrick has welcomed as a highly experienced and capable successor. He praised her knowledge of both the Black Country and Birmingham and Solihull systems, describing her as a “safe pair of hands” to guide the organisation into its next chapter.

Reflecting on his tenure, Patrick noted that the work of the NHS is never static — and that meeting the needs of local communities requires ongoing collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

“The people of Birmingham and Solihull quite rightly expect the NHS to deliver the services they need. That responsibility doesn’t end with me; it continues with the organisation, the staff, and the system as a whole.”

As he steps down, Professor Vernon leaves behind a strong foundation built on partnership, fairness, and a relentless commitment to reducing health inequalities. His legacy will continue to shape the ICB’s work long after his tenure as Chair has concluded.

You can watch Patrick’s full final Board in Brief here