NHS quangos merged to ensure cash goes to patients

MINISTERS are to merge four NHS quangos into one, as part of efforts to ensure that record investment is not wasted on bureaucracy.

The moves will see NHSX – a health technology unit set up by Matt Hancock when he was health secretary – folded into NHS England, along with public bodies responsible for information technology and workforce planning.

Ministers said the reforms would help to support the country’s recovery from Covid, and to tackle waiting lists.

NHSX was established in early 2019 to promote “digital transformation” in the NHS. But critics questioned whether there were overlaps between its role and that of NHS England, the central body which runs the health service, and NHS Digital, which publishes data and helps information sharing.

Last week Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, told a conference: “It does strike me as odd that digital leadership is currently split across NHS [England],

NHSX and NHS Digital.” The changes will also see Health Education England – the body in charge of education, training and workforce planning – become part of NHS England.

Health officials have warned that tackling major staffing shortages is one of the biggest challenges facing health and social care.

Last night, Mr Javid said: “To ensure our record NHS investment makes a lasting impact, I am bringing workforce planning and digital transformation into the heart of the NHS. These reforms will support our recovery from Covid and help us tackle waiting lists to give patients excellent care in years to come.”

The mergers come alongside planned changes that aim to ensure services cooperate more closely with each other.

The Health and Social Care Bill proposes the establishment of 42 Integrated Care Systems made up of GP surgeries, community and mental health trusts, hospitals and other primary care services, with local authorities and other care providers.