The abolition of NHS England will have to be formally delayed beyond April 2027 unless decisions about future national structures are made within days, HSJ understands.
Officials believe the timetable will have to be pushed back if the government does not finalise its decision imminently.
This is due to the time it will take to carry out staff consultations and transfer at least 10,000 people out of NHSE, as well as legal and financial processes associated with abolishing the huge arm’s length body.
Most of its functions are due to be transferred into the Department of Health and Social Care, but ministers are considering proposals to transfer the employment of thousands of its staff to a new NHS agency, instead of the department.
The proposals for new structures when NHSE is abolished – including creation of the proposed new national quango – have been awaiting ministerial sign-off for months.
The Health Bill, which will set up a single patient record and formally abolish NHSE, is currently going through the House of Lords. The government does not have a majority and peers have said they plan to oppose some of its measures, potentially introducing further delays to the process.
Read full story (paywalled)
Source: HSJ, 15 October 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment