Commenting on the Health and Care reform Bill, Jon Restell, MiP chief executive, said:

“The acid test for NHS managers is whether the bill helps or hinders them with the recovery of the NHS services to patients, after the pandemic, and with local systems working together to improve health and care for their populations.

“Much of the bill commands support among our members. But the government needs to keep it simple and drop any and all controversial elements of the bill, especially those which could make our members uncertain about the future of their roles.

“Stability is key and changes to structures should be kept to a bare minimum. The government must hold fast to its employment commitments to staff working in NHS bodies. Otherwise we will lose managerial focus and skills when they are most needed.

“NHS managers urge the government to bring in reform of social care, as a lasting legacy of the pandemic.”