NHS Greater Manchester has reached a significant milestone in its improvement journey, with the organisation successfully strengthening its leadership and governance, and improving performance and quality across the city region’s health and care system.
Following a formal review, NHS England has now discontinued the enforcement undertakings’ it set out in 2024 relating to governance arrangements, performance, quality of care and outcomes, leadership capability, and programme management.
The decision reflects the considerable progress made by NHS GM and its partners across the NHS, local authorities, primary care, and the voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector (VCSFE) over the past year to stabilise and strengthen the foundations of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.
Together, partners have helped build a more resilient, better‑coordinated system that is focused on delivering high‑quality care for residents. It will benefit patients and communities in the following ways:
- Stronger governance and clearer decision‑making mean services can be planned and delivered more effectively
- Improved performance and quality oversight support earlier intervention, reduce variation, and help ensure more consistent access to care across all parts of Greater Manchester
- Enhanced leadership capability strengthens the system’s ability to respond to local needs and drive long‑term improvements in health outcomes.
NHS England has confirmed the remaining undertakings relating to financial planning will stay in place until all required elements are met. Revised oversight arrangements will continue to support NHS GM’s delivery of its 2025/26 financial plan.
The System Improvement Board, established to oversee progress, has now been formally stood down in recognition of the organisation’s strengthened position. Ongoing monitoring will continue through established oversight and monthly System Delivery Meetings.
Colin Scales, Acting Chief Executive Officer, NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“This marks an important step forward for our health and care system and I’d like to place on record my thanks for the hard work and commitment of colleagues across all our partner organisations.
It strengthens our ability to improve services and outcomes for the people and communities we serve. We remain focused on completing the final elements of our improvement plan and continuing to build a system that delivers high‑quality, sustainable care for everyone in Greater Manchester.”
