Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of twinning NHS trusts that require improved leadership and governance with outstanding leadership teams in the NHS.

For the most challenged trusts and Integrated Care Boards that are in segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, NHS England provides mandated support via its Recovery Support Programme (RSP). More information on the RSP is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/system-and-organisational-oversight/national-recovery-support-programme/

This support is led by an experienced improvement director who can draw upon an expert multi-disciplinary team and has access to a range of improvement resources. In some cases, there is leadership support from other National Health Service bodies that have proven expertise.

The RSP was introduced in July 2021. The National Institute of Healthcare Research has been commissioned by the Department and NHS England to conduct a rapid review into the effectiveness of elements of the RSP.

NHS England has also published guidance encouraging the use of peer reviewers in developmental reviews of leadership and governance.