Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to abolish NHS England, stating that the decision will cut bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and put healthcare management back under direct government control. The announcement marks a significant shift in how the National Health Service is run, with Starmer emphasizing that the reform will lead to more funding for nurses and frontline care, rather than administrative overhead.

NHS England, which was established in 2013 to provide greater autonomy to the health service, has since expanded into the world’s largest quango, employing over 13,500 staff—three times more than the Department of Health and Social Care. However, concerns over inefficiencies, duplication of responsibilities, and soaring costs have led to calls for reform. Starmer’s decision follows the recent resignation of NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard and is aimed at streamlining healthcare operations.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has assured that the transition will focus on patient care while eliminating wasteful spending. The restructuring is expected to see central NHS jobs reduced by up to 50%, allowing for greater investment in frontline medical staff. Streeting highlighted that the government is committed to improving patient outcomes without reverting to previous austerity measures.

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