NHS Confederation responds to PAC report suggesting NHS England abolition has caused great uncertainty

Responding to a new report from the Public Accounts Committee which suggests the abolition of NHS England has left an uncertain future for patients and staff, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“The announcement of NHS England’s abolition, combined with the planned cuts to local NHS organisations, has marked the biggest reshaping of the NHS in a decade.

“While many leaders understand the need for change, the lack of detail on how the national shakeup will be taken forward, the pace of this restructure, and how it connects to the ambitions of the ten year plan are a cause for concern among staff.

“At such a challenging time for the NHS, health leaders and the government face a tall order in getting the right balance between stabilising the health service in the short term and reforming it for future generations. 

“While there are many unanswered questions, there has also been a lot of progress since the committee first took its evidence, including health leaders directly advising NHS England on the future role of integrated care boards, a consultation on the future of how NHS organisations will be held to account, and the appointment of a senior responsible officer to lead the merger of NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care.

“For these changes to benefit patients and staff, it's essential that the abolition of NHS England at the centre is used to devolve power and money locally, to those who work closest to communities. This will empower staff to innovate and best use scarce resources to support the particular needs of each area.

“We urge ministers to continue engaging with the health sector and wider public, and to set out further details on their plans as soon as possible.”