NHS managers found guilty of serious misconduct will be banned from holding senior roles, under new proposals announced by the Department of Health and Social Care to strengthen patient safety and leadership accountability.
The plans mark the first step towards professional regulation for NHS managers, ensuring that those who silence whistleblowers or behave unacceptably can no longer return to senior positions within the health service.
Currently, tens of thousands of clinical and non-clinical managers work across the NHS, but unlike doctors and nurses, they are not subject to a formal regulatory framework. This gap has been highlighted in multiple reviews, including those by Tom Kark KC, General Sir Gordon Messenger, and the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“I’m determined to create a culture of honesty and openness in the NHS where whistleblowers are protected, and that demands tough enforcement. If you silence whistleblowers, you will never work in the NHS again. We’ve got to create the conditions where staff are free to come forward and sound the alarm when things go wrong. Protecting the reputation of the NHS should never be put before protecting patient safety.
“I promised no more rewards for failure in the NHS, and these measures will deliver on it. Most NHS leaders are doing a fantastic job, but we need to stop the revolving door that allows managers sacked for misconduct or incompetence to be quietly moved to another well-paid role in another part of the NHS.
“The reforms we are making through our Plan for Change will slam the door in the face of unsuitable managers, while providing the training, support and development to help NHS leaders thrive and lead the NHS into a brighter future.”
The government’s proposals, developed following a public consultation with over 4,900 responses, will introduce:
- A statutory barring system for board-level directors and their direct reports
- New powers for the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to disbar managers for serious misconduct
- A national set of professional standards for NHS management and leadership
Sam Allen, NHS National Director for Leadership and Management, also commented:
“The 10 Year Health Plan was clear about the huge importance of excellent leadership and management, both to the quality of patient care and staff experience now, and to how we deliver the plan’s ambitions for the future.
“Managers will welcome this new regulatory framework, as part of the broader package of actions set out in the plan to attract, develop and retain the best possible leaders for the NHS of today and tomorrow.
“Accountability is a crucial part of this, and can only boost trust with patients, the public and other professionals.”
Legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament next year. The reforms are part of the 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to professionalise NHS leadership and improve patient outcomes.
The new standards will be complemented by support and development programmes, including the College of Executive and Clinical Leadership, launched last year to attract and retain top talent in NHS leadership.
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