NHS leaders who commit serious misconduct will be banned from taking up other senior NHS roles under new government regulations to protect whistleblowers and improve patient safety.
The proposals set out by the Department of Health and Social Care address the lack of a regulatory framework for health managers, and legislation is set to be put forward to Parliament next year.
It will mean NHS managers who silence whistleblowers or behave unacceptably will be unable to return to a health service position.
It follows reviews by Tom Kark KC, General Sir Gordon Messenger, and the Infected Blood Inquiry, all of which highlighted the need for strong, transparent, and accountable leadership.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said he was determined to ‘create a culture of honesty and openness in the NHS’ and that it demanded ‘tough enforcement’.
‘If you silence whistleblowers, you will never work in the NHS again,’ he said.
The new proposals have been developed following a public consultation launched last November, which received more than 4,900 contributions on ways in which managers and leaders could be regulated.
The government will develop a regulatory system with a statutory barring system for board-level directors and their direct reports within NHS bodies.
Further legislation will set out new statutory powers for the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to disbar NHS leaders in senior roles who have committed serious misconduct.
Separate NHS England professional standards for managers will establish a consistent, national set of expectations about NHS management and leadership competency and conduct.
Regulation will come alongside support and development for managers, such as a new college of executive and clinical leadership.
Tom Kark KC, author of the Kark Review, said he was pleased that his recommendation to disqualify board directors found guilty of serious misconduct was being implemented.
‘Along with the ongoing implementation of my other recommendations for improving board competence, this is a positive move to strengthen management in the NHS by weeding out poor leadership,’ said Mr Kark.
