Regulation

NHS Providers works with its members and the regulators to shape the overall regulatory framework and inform the way the regulators operate on a day to day basis to ensure that providers can deliver high quality services, lead their own improvement and pursue new models of care. To do this we focus on the following key areas:

Provider regulation – NHS Improvement regulates NHS foundation trusts and trusts on their financial stability, operational performance, care quality, leadership, improvement capability and their ability to deliver strategic change. It does this through the Single Oversight Framework which combines powers previously exercised by Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA).

Quality regulation – Quality regulation has risen up the agenda in recent years. As a result, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has undergone significant reform. The CQC sets the fundamental standards of quality and safety for healthcare services and monitors and inspects providers to ensure standards are upheld. The CQC's five year strategy for 2016-21 sets out how its regulatory model will develop following the first inspection of all NHS providers.

Annual regulation survey - Read and compare the reports from our annual regulation survey of members.

Competition – Competition and choice are used within the NHS as a tool to incentivise service improvement and promote efficiency. NHS Improvement and the Competition and Markets Authority oversee the application of competition in the NHS to ensure it works in the best interests of patients. More recently, there has been a trend towards greater service integration leading to a reduced focus on competition in the sector.