During a session of the Health and Social Care Committee on the work of NHSE, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting admitted that the NHS Ten Year Plan will be released in June. Its publication is set to closely follow the Spending Review and the long-awaited Industrial Strategy.
Mr Streeting stated that a large part of the plan will focus on devolution of powers from national leaders to provider leaders as well as devolution of powers to clinicians to ensure they feel more empowered to innovate. Following the publication of the Ten Year Plan, the government will work towards developing a long-term workforce plan which can endure beyond the current administration.
The Health Secretary also acknowledged that some ICBs have already asked permission to merge in response to the deep cuts imposed upon them.
Interim NHSE Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey spoke during the same session. He told the committee that he has directed ICBs to send him their proposals for reducing cost and headcount. By the end of May, he expects that ICBs will have agreed a financial plan with regional leaders which will be implemented by the end of the year.
