The claim that the reorganisation of services "is a matter for his local board" (i.e., the local integrated care board) accurately reflects the default statutory position under the Health and Care Act 2022. Section 18 of the Act gives ICBs the function of "arranging for the provision of services for the purposes of the health service in England," and ICBs are the statutory bodies responsible for commissioning and reconfiguring local NHS services. The DHSC's statutory guidance on "Reconfiguring NHS services — ministerial intervention powers" (published in connection with provisions that came into force on 31 January 2024) states explicitly: "Reconfigurations should be clinically led local decisions following appropriate engagement with patients and stakeholders. NHS commissioning bodies lead decisions relating to substantial changes in the reconfiguration of NHS services." The guidance further states: "Most reconfigurations will continue to be managed at a local level and will not require ministerial intervention." An important nuance is that Schedule 10A to the NHS Act 2006 (inserted by the Health and Care Act 2022) gives the Secretary of State a "call-in" power to intervene in any proposed reconfiguration of NHS services at any stage. However, the government's own guidance describes this as an exceptional power, to be used only when local resolution has failed. This means ICBs are the default decision-makers, and the Secretary of State's call-in power is a residual intervention mechanism, not the default path. The Prime Minister's statement is a standard and accurate description of how NHS service reconfiguration works in England. Sources: - Health and Care Act 2022, Section 18, legislation.gov.uk — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/31/section/18 - Health and Care Act 2022, Schedule 6 (ICB functions including public involvement), legislation.gov.uk — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/31/part/1/crossheading/integrated-care-boards-functions/enacted - Health and Care Act 2022, Schedule 6 (Secretary of State call-in power for reconfigurations), legislation.gov.uk — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/31/schedule/6/enacted - "Reconfiguring NHS services — ministerial intervention powers," GOV.UK — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powers/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powers