Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his role is in (a) suspending or (b) removing poorly performing NHS and NHS foundation trust board Chief Executives and Chairs.

The NHS Oversight Framework details the overall principles, responsibilities and ways of working for oversight, including the key metrics and factors NHS England will consider when determining support needs, and the circumstances in which it considers formal regulatory intervention may be necessary to address particular issues with integrated care boards, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care maintains powers to intervene where there are significant issues with appointed leaders. The Health and Care Act 2022 provides a new duty for NHS England to inform my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care where it considers that my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ought to make an ‘Intervention’ or ‘Default’ order in relation to an NHS trust. A Default order, where deemed necessary, removes a Chair immediately from post and an Intervention Order, Chair and Board members.