NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, has written to NHS leaders to set out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system.
Two letters, one to strategic health authority (SHA) and primary care trust (PCT) chairs and one to senior leaders in the wider NHS, set out arrangements to ensure stability and resilience for the current system through transition to the new health and care system from April 2013.
People appointed to some leadership roles in NHS Commissioning Board and NHS Trust Development Authority will manage relevant operational delivery in the current system for 2012/13 and planning for the new system for 2013/14. Leaders working in this way will be accountable to their new organisations for future planning and development and to PCTs and SHAs for current system delivery. Until April 2013 SHAs and PCTs retain their statutory functions and governance arrangements. There will be no formal transfer of statutory functions, accountability, budgets or employment of staff before then.
The letters explain that these arrangements will be implemented locally in line with current systems and structures. The continued support of the current and future NHS leaders will be essential to achieve a secure and smooth transition.
Read the letters to:
