NHS England: The NHS Performance Assessment Framework for 2025/26

Summary

The NHS performance assessment framework (PAF) is a tool to measure and improve the performance of the NHS.

NHS England has developed an updated Assessment Framework which will replace the current Oversight Framework, setting out how success and areas for improvement will be identified, and how organisations will be rated. This will apply to trusts who provide services, and to integrated care boards (ICB) who have the responsibility to assess population need and arrange services to meet those needs. Additionally, NHS England has developed a Strategic Commissioning Framework to support ICBs strengthen their capability to drive the 3 shifts set out by the government. 

This updated framework, to reflect the new government’s mandate to the NHS and the 3 shifts as part of the Health Mission, builds on the one which was developed following engagement with organisations such as the Local Government Association, Healthwatch, Association of Directors of Children’s Services, National Voices, Local Authority Chief Executives and think tanks and was subject to a public consultation in summer 2024. Extensive engagement with the NHS on the updated framework took place between December 2024 and January 2025.