Integration of NHS England and NHS Improvement

On 27 March 2018, NHS England (NHSE) and NHS Improvement (NHSI) announced plans to work together more closely. Simon Stevens, CEO of NHSE, and Ian Dalton, CEO of NHSI, jointly stated: ‘The public see the National Health Service as a single organisation so... it is right that the national leadership of the NHS work more closely.’

The plan was that, from September 2018, NHSE and NHSI would integrate national programmes and activities – with one team where possible – and regional teams, with one regional director working for both organisations.

The merger aimed to break down boundaries between purchasers and providers, deliver clarity of message from the NHS, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness of collective NHS resources, by removing unnecessary duplication and improving impact.

The announcement clarified that legislation prevented a formal merger, and that NHSE and NHSI would retain their distinctive statutory responsibilities and accountabilities.

Background to NHS England and NHS Improvement

The 2012 Health and Social Care Act established the NHS Commissioning Board (renamed NHS England in 2013) as an independent body responsible for the commissioning of NHS services in England.

NHS Improvement formed on 1 April 2016, from the de-facto merger of Monitor and the NHS Trust Development authority, to regulate NHS providers.