Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2020 to Question 120891 on NHS Trusts: Subsidiary Companies, what criteria he will use to measure the benefits to patients of the subsidiary transaction.

The measurement of patient benefits in proposals by trusts for forming or changing a subsidiary under NHS England and NHS Improvement’s addendum to transaction guidance is through trust board certification and a review process.

As part of the review, the trust board should clearly demonstrate why the formation of trust subsidiaries is the best option for patients, the trust and the local health economy. Plans require the support of key stakeholders in the local health economy, including those from patients to gain their perspective on perceived benefits of any subsidiary.