Decision

Direction from Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to NHS Chief Executive Officer on independent sector contracting

Published 12 January 2022

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England

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From: Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

To: Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive

8 January 2022

Dear Amanda,

Thank you for your letter of 7 January 2022, relating to increasing the use of available capacity in the independent sector to help maintain NHS services. I have considered the contents of your letter carefully.

I recognise the Managing Public Money issues that these arrangements cause for you as the Accounting Officer. However, as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the emergence of the Omicron variant, I believe the need to protect NHS services and prevent a further reduction in NHS capacity are compelling reasons to justify their introduction. The government is fully committed to ensuring the NHS has access to all the resources it may need to respond to the ongoing wave of infections caused by this new variant.

I am directing you as Accounting Officer that you may take forward this scheme with immediate effect, managing the identified risks as best you can.

I want to make clear my gratitude for the incredible efforts NHS staff have made throughout the pandemic, and that I know continue to be made.

In line with the usual process for ministerial directions, I am also copying this letter to the Cabinet Secretary, the Comptroller and Auditor General (who will inform the Public Accounts Committee) and to the Treasury Officer of Accounts.

Yours ever,

Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP

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