The undertakings were introduced in 2024 and set out a formal programme of improvement covering four areas:
- leadership and governance
- financial sustainability
- performance and assurance
- quality of care
Since then, NHS Greater Manchester has worked alongside NHS England and partners across the city-region to deliver and embed the required improvements. The System Improvement Board, established to oversee progress, was formally stood down in January 2026 and NHS England has now confirmed that the remaining requirements have been met, bringing the formal enforcement process to an end.
Colin Scales, Acting Chief Executive, NHS Greater Manchester, said: “The removal of the enforcement undertakings is an important milestone and recognises the considerable progress made across NHS Greater Manchester and our wider health and care partnership.
“This has been a collective effort involving colleagues across NHS organisations, local authorities, primary care and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. I want to thank everyone who has contributed.
“We are not complacent about the scale of the challenges that remain. Health and care services continue to face significant financial, operational and quality pressures. Our focus is now on sustaining the improvements we have made and continuing to deliver better, more consistent care for people across Greater Manchester.”
The removal of the undertakings does not replace the normal regulatory and oversight arrangements applying to NHS Greater Manchester and other NHS organisations. Separate improvement or regulatory processes concerning individual healthcare providers are not part of NHS Greater Manchester’s enforcement undertakings.
