Regional CEOs to ‘manage’ health systems, says NHSE

The CEOs of seven reformed NHS regions are to be made directly responsible for “the success of the health system they manage”, according to the new “blueprint” for their future.

The Model Regional Blueprint, obtained by HSJ,  confirms the regions will cover the same seven areas as the current NHS England regions. As NHSE is abolished, they will become part of the Department of Health and Social Care, rather than independent health authorities. 

The blueprint, drawn up by current regional leaders alongside the DHSC and NHSE, states: “There is a need to strengthen the regional governance and leadership model. Regional CEOs will have responsibility for the success of the health system they manage, with a clear line to the CEOs of provider and commissioner organisations.”

To strengthen regional leadership, the government plans to “create the new role of regional chair with responsibility for supporting the non-executive directors in ICBs and NHS providers in their region to put in place effective governance and operate to the highest standards”. At present, the seven teams are led by a “regional director” and have no chair.

The new chairs will also “provide assurance to the national centre and the public by formulating an independent view on non-executive capability”, according to the blueprint. It adds: “They will be a driver of improvement, not a further structural or bureaucratic layer, and so will not be part of a board, undertake line management or hold operational responsibilities.

“CEO and chair bilateral discussions with providers and commissioners will be particularly crucial in situations where intervention or regulatory levers are required.”

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Source: HSJ, 10 September 2025