Health bosses won't be rewarded for failure under new regulations

NHS managers who commit serious misconduct will not be able to take up other senior NHS roles, under plans to boost patient safety.

The new proposals set out by the Department of Health and Social Care will mean any leader who silences whistleblowers or behaves unacceptably will be banned from returning to a health service position.

They set out the first steps to meet the government’s commitment to introduce professional standards for, and regulation of, NHS managers, with legislation set to be put forward to Parliament next year.

Tens of thousands of clinical and non-clinical managers work in the NHS but there is currently no regulatory framework specifically for managers, like there is for doctors and nurses.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

I’m determined to create a culture of honesty and openness in the NHS where whistleblowers are protected, and that demands tough enforcement. If you silence whistleblowers, you will never work in the NHS again. We’ve got to create the conditions where staff are free to come forward and sound the alarm when things go wrong. Protecting the reputation of the NHS should never be put before protecting patient safety.

I promised no more rewards for failure in the NHS, and these measures will deliver on it. Most NHS leaders are doing a fantastic job, but we need to stop the revolving door that allows managers sacked for misconduct or incompetence to be quietly moved to another well-paid role in another part of the NHS.

The reforms we are making through our Plan for Change will slam the door in the face of unsuitable managers, while providing the training, support and development to help NHS leaders thrive and lead the NHS into a brighter future.

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Source: Department of Health and Social Care, 21 July 2025