What abolishing NHS England means and how it will affect YOU – as Keir reveals bid to ‘cut red-tape’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the abolition of NHS England after 13 years as the Government seizes control of the health service.
We take a look at what the organisation is and if and how the move will affect patients.
What is NHS England?
NHS England is a national organisation headquartered in London that is paid by the government to control the NHS's budget and policies.
It is what is known as a quango – quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation - or an arm's-length body.
It employs more than 15,000 staff and they are ultimately responsible for instructing local health boards on how to run and what their priorities should be, and dividing up the NHS' £192billion budget.
NHS England is not part of the Government but it translates what ministers want into workable plans for hospitals and GP practices.
Read more on the NHS
When was it formed?
NHS England was formed 13 years ago in 2012, following a reorganisation under David Cameron's government.
Before this, the health service was run by hundreds of GP-led organisations and dozens of separate health authorities than ran hospitals.
NHS England was set up to oversee a smaller number of bigger local organisations that ran GP services and hospitals from under one roof.
The reforms were divisive and have been criticised for adding extra layers of office work and regulation without clear benefits.
A review last year by Lord Ara Darzi, ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, said the number of bureaucrats had become a burden on medical staff.
Why is it being scrapped?
The Government claims axing NHS England will free up funding for the frontline, as well as cutting red tape to help speed up improvements in the health service.
On a visit to Hull, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told one patient the move will reduce the "duplication" of work in NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.
What is the Department of Health and Social Care?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is a ministerial department of the Government which is responsible for developing and implementing policies and legislation on health and social care in England.
What happens now?
Many of NHS England's functions will be reintegrated into DHSC to create a more efficient centre.
Will there be job cuts?
According to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, NHS England employs 15,300 staff, with DHSC employing 3,300.
Across both, overall headcount is expected to be reduced by 50%.
Is there a timeline for this transition?
Mr Streeting told the Commons on Thursday he wanted the transition to be completed in two years.
DHSC said NHS England's leadership team, comprising Sir Jim Mackey and Dr Penny Dash, will lead the transformation.