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Government has no clear plan for NHS England abolition | Government has no clear plan for NHS England abolition |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The government is abolishing NHS England without a clear plan for how it will be achieved and how it will benefit frontline care, a cross-party group of MPs has warned. | The government is abolishing NHS England without a clear plan for how it will be achieved and how it will benefit frontline care, a cross-party group of MPs has warned. |
Ministers announced in March that the body responsible for overseeing the health service in England would go, with its functions brought into the Department of Health and Social Care. | Ministers announced in March that the body responsible for overseeing the health service in England would go, with its functions brought into the Department of Health and Social Care. |
But the Public Accounts Committee said it was concerned about the uncertainty being caused and urged the government to set out a clear plan within the next three months. | But the Public Accounts Committee said it was concerned about the uncertainty being caused and urged the government to set out a clear plan within the next three months. |
The government said the move would eliminate "wasteful duplication" and that detailed planning had started. | The government said the move would eliminate "wasteful duplication" and that detailed planning had started. |
Alongside the changes at a national level, the 42 local health boards responsible for planning services are also having to shed around half of their 25,000 staff. | Alongside the changes at a national level, the 42 local health boards responsible for planning services are also having to shed around half of their 25,000 staff. |
The MPs also raised concerns about the "jaw-dropping" amount of money lawyers are making from clinical negligence claims. Of the £2.8bn paid out in 2023-24, nearly a fifth went on legal costs. | The MPs also raised concerns about the "jaw-dropping" amount of money lawyers are making from clinical negligence claims. Of the £2.8bn paid out in 2023-24, nearly a fifth went on legal costs. |
It said this was unacceptable and more must be done to improve safety. | It said this was unacceptable and more must be done to improve safety. |
Huge pressure | Huge pressure |
Committee chair and Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said the changes to NHS England and local health boards amounted to a major structural reform. | Committee chair and Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said the changes to NHS England and local health boards amounted to a major structural reform. |
He said strong decision-making and experienced staff would be vital to manage a period of "huge pressure" for the NHS. | He said strong decision-making and experienced staff would be vital to manage a period of "huge pressure" for the NHS. |
"It has been two months since the government's decision to remove what, up until now, has been seen as a key piece of machinery, without articulating a clear plan for what comes next – and the future for patients and staff remains hazy," he added. | "It has been two months since the government's decision to remove what, up until now, has been seen as a key piece of machinery, without articulating a clear plan for what comes next – and the future for patients and staff remains hazy," he added. |
NHS England, which employs nearly 15,000 staff, is in charge of £193bn of public sector money this year. | NHS England, which employs nearly 15,000 staff, is in charge of £193bn of public sector money this year. |
The reduction in staffing of abolishing NHS England is expected to save £400m, while the cut in local health board staff is expected to add another £700-750m. | The reduction in staffing of abolishing NHS England is expected to save £400m, while the cut in local health board staff is expected to add another £700-750m. |
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said the changes would eliminate "wasteful duplication" and a joint board was already working on detailed plans. | A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said the changes would eliminate "wasteful duplication" and a joint board was already working on detailed plans. |
"Serious reform is needed to tackle the challenges facing the NHS," she added. | "Serious reform is needed to tackle the challenges facing the NHS," she added. |
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS trusts, said the changes "marked the biggest reshaping of the NHS in a decade". | Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS trusts, said the changes "marked the biggest reshaping of the NHS in a decade". |
He said that while many managers in the NHS understood the need for change, the lack of detail and how the plans fitted in with the forthcoming 10-year plan were "a cause for concern" for those running the health service. | He said that while many managers in the NHS understood the need for change, the lack of detail and how the plans fitted in with the forthcoming 10-year plan were "a cause for concern" for those running the health service. |
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