This report outlines the results of an NHS Providers’ member survey on how the current regulatory regime is operating, carried out in January 2017. It explored the burden of regulation experienced by NHS trusts and foundation trusts and consider how this may be impacting trusts’ ability to manage increased demand, restore performance against targets, transform services and achieve financial balance.

There were 76 responses to the survey (26 NHS trusts and 44 NHS foundation trusts), representing 32% of the provider sector.

Key messages from the report include:

• This year’s survey reveals a perception that the regulatory environment may be starting to move in the right direction, with better coordination and alignment across regulators.
• However, the regulatory burden that NHS trusts and foundation trusts experience remains high and is in fact increasing.
• Overall, two thirds of respondents (68%) felt that the regulatory burden had increased over the last 12 months and the same proportion also felt that the number of ad hoc requests from regulators had also grown.
• Proportionality and value for money remain significant concerns among the majority of respondents.
• There are further changes on the horizon in terms of the regulatory framework. As regulators seek to develop their approach to oversight of STPs as set out in the recent Next steps on the NHS five year forward view, they must make sure this aligns with the current framework for overseeing providers. 

The following broad themes are discussed:

• The overall regulatory framework
• Regulatory burden and impact
• NHS Improvement oversight
• CQC inspections

Read the report online