Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many FTE staff in his Department are working on the New Hospitals Programme.

At the end of March 2023, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the Department working in the New Hospital Programme was 49. However, in July the New Hospital Programme transitioned to a Sponsor (Department of Health and Social Care)/Delivery (NHS England) model. As such, certain functions have moved under NHS England as part of this new model. The current number of staff that are working on the New Hospital Programme in the Department is 16.8 FTE.

The new model ensures clear lines of accountability across the Department and NHS England and is consistent with how many major programmes within Government are structured. Adopting this shared operational model provides improved decision-making processes and establishes greater responsibility throughout the programme.