Responding to the publication of NHS England’s new performance assessment framework, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Trust leaders will be pleased that many of their long-voiced concerns have been heard and acted on. The previous system to assess trust performance was ripe for reform."

"We welcome the clarity of this new approach, lessening the burden on trusts and avoiding duplication.

"NHS trusts leaders are all for being accountable and are committed to working with partners to create a regulatory system which has the confidence of everyone involved.

"We welcome clarification of the roles of NHS England and Integrated Care Boards - the blurring of their responsibilities had been a barrier to good, joined-up system working.

"One area on which further clarity is needed is how the assessment of organisational capability will feed through into how trusts are segmented."