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 the Department retains the necessary expertise across healthcare when NHS England is abolished.

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 clinical, analytical, digital, and operational 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.