Prime Minister Keir Starmer reveals the move will help bring the health service back ‘into democratic control’.
The announcement came as Starmer was delivering a speech in Hull about reshaping the state. He claims the decision will allow for the NHS to be overseen by politicians rather than an ‘arms-length body’.
What’s more, Starmer also said the order will free up cash for frontline services including doctors and nurses and will help cut the red tape to speed up improvements in the NHS, with the government aiming to slash wait times before the next General Election.
‘I’m bringing management of the NHS back into democratic control by abolishing the arms-length body – NHS England,’ Starmer said during his speech. ‘That will put the NHS back at the heart of the government where it belongs, freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses. An NHS refocused on cutting waiting times at your hospital.’
The news comes just days after a mass exodus of staff at NHS England – including its chief executive and medical director – resigned from their roles.
‘We’ve got a communications team in NHS England; we’ve got a communications team in the health department of government. We’ve got a strategy team in NHS England; a strategy team in the government department,’ Starmer continued. ‘We’re duplicating things that could be done once. If we strip that out, which is what we’re doing today, that then allows us to free up that money, to put it where it needs to be, which is the frontline.’
Ultimately, the plans mean the NHS will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has welcomed the announced. He said: ‘This is the final nail in the coffin of the disastrous 2012 reorganisation, which left 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.’
Following the decision, Sir James Mackey will be taking over as ‘transition CEO’ of NHS England and he has claimed the move is ‘unsettling’ to say the least.
‘We know that while unsettling for our staff, today’s announcement will bring welcome clarity as we focus on tackling the significant challenges ahead and delivering on the government’s priorities for patients,’ he said.
‘Tough choices won’t just stop there. In this era, they will keep on coming. Our task is clear, national security, national renewal, driving change forward with a plan for change, focused on the interests of working people, securing our future together.’
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