Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from the Allied Health Professions Federation in response to his consultation on leadership in the NHS; and what his response was to these representations.

We do not currently collect data on the number of allied health professionals occupying leadership positions in the National Health Service. However we understand that around half of NHS trust Chief Executives have a clinical background and that a small number are allied health professionals.

The Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management conducted a review of the opportunities and barriers facing clinicians who wish to move in to senior operational leadership roles in the NHS. The review has been submitted to the Department and a response will be published in due course. We would be happy to meet with the Allied Health Professions Federation to discuss this matter.