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28 October 2026

Ever wondered who does what across the NHS, how the different organisations fit together, or where decisions about local health services are made? Our new guide aims to make things a little clearer.

When most people think about the NHS, they probably think of it as one big organisation. But look a little closer and you'll find a network of different organisations, services, partnerships and teams, each with its own responsibilities.

From GP practices and hospitals to NHS planning bodies, local councils, public health teams and community organisations, understanding who does what isn't always straightforward. The boundaries between them don't always line up neatly, either.

That's why we've brought together a new guide to how the NHS fits together in North Cumbria, designed to help people make sense of the bigger picture.

View Our NHS Guide

Six pages to help you find your way around

The guide breaks the subject down into six bite-sized sections, taking you from the national NHS structure through to the organisations and partnerships working closer to home.

You'll find information about:

  • Who runs and plans the NHS?
    An introduction to the national organisations responsible for setting policy, planning services, providing guidance and regulating care.
     
  • The regional NHS and Integrated Care System.
    How the NHS works across the North East and North Cumbria, and the different roles played by regional organisations and partnerships.
     
  • Local care providers and organisations.
    An overview of the main organisations providing hospital, community, mental health and other health services in and around North Cumbria.
     
  • Local partnerships and health care in North Cumbria.
    A closer look at how GP practices, primary care organisations, voluntary groups and other partners work together.
     
  • Councils, public health and social care.
    How local government responsibilities connect with health services, from public health and prevention to adult social care and support for families.
     
  • How NHS services work together.
    Practical information about accessing care, referrals, triage, the wider general practice team and finding the right service for your needs.

It's about understanding how the pieces fit together

The NHS can sometimes feel like a maze of acronyms, organisations and different routes into care. The guide is intended to help untangle some of that complexity, explain the terminology in plain English and show how the different parts of the system connect.

It's not intended to list every organisation or service, or replace the advice provided by individual health and care teams. Instead, it offers a starting point for anyone who wants to understand more about how the system works across North Cumbria.

Whether you're a member of the public trying to make sense of local health services, someone working in primary care, or a professional looking to understand more about the wider health and care landscape, we hope you'll find something useful.

Explore the guide: How the NHS fits together in North Cumbria

We've broken the overview info from the image into text in case you are using a screen reader or prefer the information as below.

The structure of the NHS in England

A simple guide to the key organisations and how they fit together.

1. National bodies

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

  • Sets national policy.

  • Leads on legislation and funding.

NHS England

  • Leads the NHS and supports the health system.

  • NHS England's functions and structure are subject to change.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

- Regulates and inspects health and care services across England.

NHS England regional teams

- Work across regions, including the North East and North Cumbria.

2. Integrated Care System (ICS) - regional level

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS)

Brings together the NHS, local councils and other partners to plan and improve health and care across the region.

Integrated Care Board (ICB)

- Plans and commissions NHS services across North East and North Cumbria.

Integrated Care Partnership (ICP)

- Brings together the NHS, local authorities and wider partners to support the health and wellbeing of local people.

3. Local and place-based partnerships

Primary Care Networks (PCNs)

- Groups of GP practices working together with other services.

Local authorities

  • Support public health, social care and wider wellbeing in local communities.

  • Include Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council in North Cumbria.

Health and Wellbeing Boards

- Bring together local government, health partners and communities to support local health and wellbeing priorities.

4. Local service providers

These organisations deliver care and support to people in local communities.

  • GP practices - provide general practice services and wider primary care.

  • Community pharmacies - provide medicines, advice and pharmacy services.

  • NHS dentists and optometrists - provide dental and eye care services.

  • NHS trusts and foundation trusts - provide hospital, community and other NHS services.

  • Mental health providers - provide mental health and specialist services.

  • Ambulance services - provide emergency response and urgent care.

  • Social care providers - provide support with daily living and care needs.

  • Voluntary and community organisations - including charities, hospices and community support services.

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