NHS England and NHS Improvement have announced that subject to the approval of their respective Boards, they will set in motion some key steps that will bring the working of the two organisations closer together.
In a joint statement, Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England and Ian Dalton, Chief Executive of NHS Improvement have said: “The public see the National Health Service as a single organisation so, as we work to improve care for patients, it is right that the national leadership of the NHS work more closely. Together we are more than the sum of our parts.”
From September 2018 the plan is to increase integration and alignment of national programmes and activities and to integrate NHS England and Improvement regional teams. The plan is to move towards seven regional teams, each led by a regional director working for both organisations.
A more joined-up approach has a number of advantages for the NHS. It will enable the two to work more effectively with commissioners and providers in local health systems to break down traditional boundaries between different parts of the NHS and between health and social care.
It will enable them to speak with one voice, to set clear and consistent expectations for providers, commissioners and local health systems. It will also mean more effective and efficient use of the organisations' collective resources. Finally, it will remove unnecessary duplication.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have distinctive responsibilities and accountabilities and these proposals will not change this. The legislation means a formal merger between the two organisations is not possible.
NHS England and NHS Improvement say over the coming months they will work with their staff and partners on the details of how the new approach will work.
