New regulations for NHS managers to boost patient safety
New proposals set out by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will strengthen health service leadership and professionalise NHS management as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.
They have been developed following a public consultation launched in November last year, which NHS Employers led a response on behalf of chief executive officers, chairs, chief people officers and senior board workforce leaders across the NHS following extensive engagement.
In response, the government will develop a proportionate regulatory system that will ensure that those who have committed serious misconduct are no longer able to work in senior NHS management positions, preventing unacceptable behaviour and improving patient safety. New proposals include:
- managers who commit serious misconduct won’t be able to take up other senior NHS roles
- statutory barring system for board-level directors and their direct reports within NHS bodies
- patients to benefit from proposals to professionalise NHS management
- whistleblowers will be protected under new regulations.
Further legislation will set out new statutory powers for the Health and Care Professions Council to disbar NHS leaders in senior roles who have committed serious misconduct.
Separate NHSE professional standards for managers will establish a consistent, national set of expectations about NHS management and leadership competency and conduct.
Regulation will come alongside support and development, with managers being given the tools they need to meet standards and succeed in their roles.
For more information on the new proposals see the full press statement from DHSC, and read our statement in response to the government’s announcement on NHS manager regulation.
Read and download our response to the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) consultation on regulation of NHS managers.
