NHS England was created as part of the 2012 reforms introduced under former Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley.
The idea was to free the health service from political meddling – with ministers instead setting the wider strategy, but stepping back from getting involved on a daily basis.
But Lansley’s predecessor as health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said recently NHS England had ended up a “bureaucratic monster” that stifles innovation with reports some organisations were at times filling out 250 forms a month just to satisfy both NHS England and the health department.
And on the front line one of the most common complaints is that NHS England was incredibly controlling, even requesting individual NHS trusts ask for permission for something as mundane as granting media interviews.
But make no mistake, this is also about control. Ministers have argued it is only right that a democratically-elected government was in charge of day-to-day running of the health service.
But given Labour, in opposition, was critical of the Tories messing around with NHS structures, embarking on its own reorganisation comes with significant risk.
Those working in the health service already talk about the disruption and distraction these changes are causing – and given NHS England oversees the day-to-day running out the health service, organises some specialist services and has a role in training and digital innovation, it is not difficult to see why there are some serious concerns about the reforms.
