The NHS has moved to strengthen the leadership and accountability within its senior ranks with new standards.
As part of this, healthcare leaders will be sent a suite of resources signposting career development programmes and peer support networks that will help senior board members share best practice.
A fit and proper person test framework has also been released in response to the five recommendations from the Tom Kark KC review on professional standards.
Following the review, NHS England has implemented:
- A new reference for people leaving board roles for any reason which will be held on record until the person turns 75, including notes of any previous or current complaints or disciplinary issues
- Data fields in the electronic staff record to detail board members’ fit and proper tests
- An extension of the scope of the framework so it encompasses all commissioners, including arms-length bodies, the Care Quality Commission and NHS England
NHS chairs will be responsible for uptake in their organisations and ensuring the test is reviewed annually.
NHS England’s chair, Richard Meddings, said: “NHS boards consist of highly committed and hard-working people, but it is important that they are held to the highest standards given they are entrusted to care for tens of thousands of patients and staff.”
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