NHS

From 1 April 2019, NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together as a new single organisation to better support the NHS to deliver improved care for patients.

As local health systems work more closely together, the same needs to happen at a national level. Our new single operating model has been designed to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.

Local health systems are supported by our seven integrated regional teams who play a major leadership role in the geographies they manage. They make decisions about how best to support and assure performance in their region, as well as supporting system transformation and the development of sustainability and transformation partnerships and integrated care systems (ICS).​

Our revitalised culture of support and collaboration will be underpinned by a new approach, including:

• a move away from relying solely on arm’s-length regulation and performance management to supporting service improvement and transformation across systems and within providers
• strong governance and accountability mechanisms in place for systems to ensure that the NHS as a whole can secure the best value from its combined resources
• a reinforcement of accountability at Board, Governing Body and local system ICS level for adopting standards of best practice and making their contribution to critical national improvement programmes, on a comply or explain basis
• making better use and improving the quality of the data and information that local systems and providers have access to improve patient services.

Our approach to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan will balance national direction with local autonomy to secure the best outcomes for patients. Local implementation will be led by the clinicians and leaders who are directly accountable for patient care and making efficient use of public money. This will ensure local health systems have the ability and accountability for shaping how the Plan is implemented.