Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase engagement with (a) staff and (b) trade unions on the establishment of wholly owned subsidiary companies by NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

NHS England published guidance in November 2018 setting out the regulatory review process required before NHS trusts and foundation trusts can implement plans involving subsidiaries. As part of this review, NHS England consider engagement with staff and trade unions. NHS England routinely involve regional workforce leads in the review process where a subsidiary proposal involves changes to the workforce.

NHS England work in conjunction with trusts and trade unions, setting out good practice workforce engagement and consultation guidance for trusts considering setting up or dissolving a subsidiary.