Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that specialist expertise, particularly in areas such as cancer, frontline NHS delivery and patient engagement, is retained and effectively integrated as NHS England’s functions are brought into the Department.

The Government recognises that delivering reform and maintaining performance depends on retaining the right skills, knowledge, and experience that exists across both our current workforces in NHS England and the Department.

The changes proposed are not a reflection on the dedication or professionalism of staff in either organisation. Our objective is to reduce duplication and bureaucracy, while ensuring the future Department continues to benefit from strong specialist expertise.

Throughout the transition, the Government is prioritising continuity in critical roles and providing opportunities for learning, development, and career progression within the redesigned organisation.