Ministers have appointed a retired general to lead a review of NHS and social care leadership to reduce regional disparities in efficiency and health outcomes in England.
Led by former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Gordon Messenger, the Health and Social Care Leadership Review will report back to Health Secretary Sajid Javid early next year.
The review will look to improve processes and strengthen the leadership of health and social care in England, and consider how to foster and replicate the best examples of leadership.
The review comes as the government invests £36 billion to put health and social care on a sustainable financial footing and deliver the biggest catch-up programme in NHS history.
Any recommendations made as the review progresses will be considered carefully and could be rapidly implemented to “make every penny of taxpayer’s money count,” the Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement.
“Strengthening leadership, including clinical leadership, and spreading the best examples of outstanding management is vital in ensuring that every pound of investment is spent well, by driving up innovation and more efficient ways of working,” it added.
Javid said the review would “shine a light” on outstanding leaders in health and social care to drive efficiency and innovation.
“We are committed to providing the resources health and social care needs but that must come with change for the better,” he added.
“It will help make sure individuals and families get the care and treatment they need, wherever they are in the country, as we build back better.”
Publication of the review will be followed by a plan committing to implementing any agreed recommendations along with clear timelines.
