Fourteen trusts rated red for ‘capability’

NHS England has rated 14 trusts “red” for “capability” – meaning their management has been unable to “grip” long-running problems.

This week, NHS England published the first “provider capability” ratings, part of its overhauled oversight framework.

According to the framework, a “red” rating means there are “material or long-running concerns” that management “has been unable to grip”.

The 14 providers with this rating are all acute trusts, and include three large hospital groups: Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust – both of which have seen  serious concerns raised about maternity failings – and Mid and South Essex FT.

The majority (nine) of the “red” trusts are in the north of England, while there are two each from the South East and East of England, and one in the South West. Nine of them serve coastal areas.

The ratings are based on self-assessments, which were then subject to review by NHSE regional teams. The process was carried out from August to December last year. There have already been a number of leadership changes at “red”– rated trusts since the exercise began.

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Source: HSJ, 17 April 2026