NHS England corporate nursing role cuts are being considered as part of a major cost-saving overhaul announced by the new chief executive of NHS England, Sir James Mackey.
In a letter to NHS leaders, Mackey outlined plans to review non-patient-facing nursing roles across the health service, raising concerns about potential job losses and the impact on clinical leadership.
The move is part of broader NHS reform measures aimed at reducing administrative costs and improving efficiency by transferring NHS England’s functions to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Review of Non-Patient-Facing Nursing Roles Launched
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, has been tasked with leading a rapid review of the size and deployment of “corporate” nursing staff within NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). These roles, while not directly patient-facing, support vital areas such as safeguarding, infection control, and workforce planning.
Sir James Mackey said corporate costs across NHS providers have risen by 40%—an increase of £1.85 billion—since 2018–19. He highlighted significant variation between regions in how non-clinical nursing roles are structured and said this warranted a new national benchmark.
Targets Set for NHS Cost Reductions
The review will be completed by the end of April 2025, and NHS providers will be expected to reduce their corporate cost growth by 50% by the third quarter of 2025–26. Mackey said savings should be reinvested into frontline services to improve patient care.
ICBs are required to submit cost-saving plans by the end of May 2025, with an emphasis on cutting duplication in functions such as regulatory roles, performance monitoring, and communications.
RCN and NHS Leaders Warn of Risks to Patient Care
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strongly criticized the potential cuts, warning that eliminating non-patient-facing roles could undermine care delivery and safety. “These nursing roles provide valuable clinical expertise… It would be a mistake to lose this expertise simply to reduce corporate costs,” said an RCN spokesperson.
RCN General Secretary Professor Nicola Ranger emphasized that these professionals are not “bureaucrats,” but clinical nurses delivering critical services.
Local Leaders Will Decide How Cuts Are Made
Sarah Walter, director of the NHS Confederation’s Integrated Care System Network, said local ICBs will use Burton’s findings to guide how reductions are implemented. “Our ICB members are committed to balancing the books… decisions will be made by local leaders,” she told Nursing Times.
The outcome of Burton’s review is expected to inform which corporate nursing functions are maintained and which may be streamlined or removed in line with national targets.
