New rules could stop NHS managers from working in the health service if they silence whistle-blowers or put patient safety at risk. These proposals, announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, are designed to make the NHS more open and ensure patients are always safe.
The government is asking the public for their opinions on these changes. The consultation started on 26 November. The plan is to make NHS managers follow high professional standards and make sure they take patient safety seriously. One idea is to introduce a rule that makes it a legal duty for managers to listen to and act on safety concerns.
These changes come after many safety issues in the NHS, where managers were found covering up problems. The government wants to fix this by making sure bad managers cannot move to new roles in the NHS and that they are held responsible for their actions.
Wes Streeting said these changes are part of a bigger plan to make the NHS work better.
"We need the best leaders in the NHS to make sure patients are safe," he said. "This is about making the NHS stronger and safer for everyone."
Right now, NHS managers don’t have the same rules to follow as doctors and nurses. The new plan would change that by setting clear standards and holding managers accountable.
Karin Smyth, Minister for Health, explained that the NHS needs leaders who can create a culture of openness and honesty, she said: "We need to stop bad managers from moving around different NHS trusts."
The consultation will last for 12 weeks, and after that, the government will decide the next steps. This is part of an ongoing effort to make sure NHS managers have the right training and support to do their jobs well.
Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, said patients often feel like their voices are not heard. She encouraged everyone who has used the NHS to share their thoughts and said: "Working together with patients will make healthcare safer for all."
Source:
GOV.UK