Summary
The UK government plans to abolish NHS England and transfer its functions to the Department of Health and Social Care. A group of MPs expressed concerns over the lack of a clear plan and the potential impact on healthcare services. The government aims to cut costs by reducing staff at both NHS England and local health boards.
Key Facts
- The government plans to eliminate NHS England, moving its roles to the Department of Health and Social Care.
- MPs are concerned about the uncertainty this plan creates and have requested a detailed strategy within three months.
- The government states the change will remove duplicated efforts and has begun detailed planning.
- Local health boards will reduce staff by half, impacting about 25,000 workers.
- Legal costs from clinical negligence claims take nearly 20% of the £2.8 billion paid out in 2023-24.
- Abolishing NHS England is expected to save £400 million by reducing staffing.
- Local health board staff cuts are forecasted to save an additional £700-750 million.
- The moves represent significant changes in the NHS structure, impacting nearly 15,000 NHS England staff responsible for £193 billion in funds.
