The abolition of NHS England has raised concerns about an unclear future of health and care in England. The evidence session discussing the abolition held earlier in March detailed that staff headcounts across the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) were to be cut, yet revealed no further details. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) claimed in a recent report that this has caused a level of ‘uncertainty’ regarding the future of the health service, and how it ties in with the 10-year health plan. The report stated:
‘It is disappointing that the Department and NHS England do not have a clear plan for how they will achieve the required reductions in headcount, and are unable to articulate the costs involved. The reductions have been announced prior to the finalisation of the NHS’ 10–Year Health Plan, and therefore we do not yet know how these fit with the wider plans for the NHS.’
Don't let nursing be a hidden casualty of NHS reforms
Health leaders respond cautiously to axing of NHS England
The impact of the restructure on patients and staff is still unknown, as they anticipate the consequences. The report claimed that a structured plan of how the DHSC is to absorb the functions of NHS England should be made apparent, including how to improve patient care. Health organisations also suggested that during the restructure, resources should be brought closer to the community by working with local councils and GPs.
‘At such a challenging time for the NHS, health leaders and the government face a tall order in getting the right balance between stabilising the health service in the short term and reforming it for future generations,’ said Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation. ‘For these changes to benefit patients and staff, it's essential that the abolition of NHS England at the centre is used to devolve power and money locally, to those who work closest to communities. We urge ministers to continue engaging with the health sector and wider public, and to set out further details on their plans as soon as possible.'