DHSC and NHS England Form Joint Executive Team to Drive Unified Leadership and Efficiency
A single joint executive team will be established across the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England, marking a major milestone in the transition to one integrated organisation. The move is designed to provide unified leadership, align policy with delivery, and streamline operations to better serve patients.
From 3 November 2025, the joint executive team will oversee directors across related work areas and begin combining resources, ensuring a coordinated approach across the health and social care system. This step represents a significant progression in the ongoing integration of NHS England back into DHSC, announced by the Prime Minister in March 2025.
The decision to merge the leadership of both organisations comes in response to the challenges posed by overlapping roles and duplicated functions. By removing unnecessary bureaucracy and reducing red tape, the government aims to redirect resources from administrative processes to frontline healthcare services, giving NHS staff more capacity to focus on patient care.
“This joint executive team is a key part of our strategy to make the NHS more efficient, responsive, and patient-focused,” said a DHSC spokesperson. “By bringing together policy, strategy, and delivery under one leadership, we can streamline decision-making and put more energy and funding where it matters most—directly into frontline care.”
The unified structure will also support better coordination across national and local initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate the delivery of critical healthcare services. This integration aligns with the government’s wider objectives to modernise the NHS, enhance service delivery, and ensure the health system meets the evolving needs of the public.
In addition to operational efficiency, the joint executive team will champion innovative approaches, technology adoption, and workforce support strategies, ensuring NHS staff are empowered and equipped to deliver high-quality care. By combining expertise from both DHSC and NHS England, the new team will foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across the health service.
The formation of the joint executive team underscores the government’s commitment to a streamlined, patient-centred NHS, with less duplication, faster decision-making, and more resources for healthcare services. It also marks a historic step in the transformation of the UK’s healthcare system, reinforcing the priority of putting patients first while supporting staff and improving operational outcomes.
