Sir Keir Starmer has just confirmed plans to abolish the “arms-length body” NHS England.
He says this will bring management of the NHS “back into democratic control”.
This move will put the NHS “back at the heart of government where it belongs,” he says, “freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses.”
The prime minister adds that the NHS will “refocus” on cutting waiting times at “your hospital”.
What is NHS
NHS England is the body which leads the National Health Service in England. It is responsible for delivering high-quality care, supporting staff, and ensuring value for money.
NHS England was established in 2013 by former Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley to give the NHS greater independence and autonomy – intending for it to operate at arm’s length from the government.
It’s responsible for delivering high-quality care, supporting staff, and ensuring value for money.
Its website states it has a “wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers”, which include working with the government to agree funding and priorities for the NHS and overseeing the delivery of safe and effective services.
NHS England employs about 13,000 people.
Why has it been scrapped?
The prime minister said abolishing the body will bring management of the NHS “back into democratic control”.
This move will put the NHS “back at the heart of government where it belongs,” he said during a speech in east Yorkshire on Thursday, “freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses”.
He added that the NHS will “refocus” on cutting waiting times at “your hospital”.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This is the final nail in the coffin of the disastrous 2012 reorganisation, which led to the longest waiting times, lowest patient satisfaction, and most expensive NHS in history.
“When money is so tight, we can’t justify such a complex bureaucracy with two organisations doing the same jobs. We need more doers, and fewer checkers, which is why I’m devolving resources and responsibilities to the NHS frontline.”
BREAKING: The prime minister announces he will be abolishing NHS England.https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 13, 2025
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