The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) is the independent expert on

National Health Service The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " ...

(NHS) service change in England. Set up in 2003, the IRP advises the

Secretary of State for Health The secretary of state for health and social care, also referred to as the health secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the work of the Department of Health and Social Care. The incumbent ...

on contested proposals for health service change in England. The IRP also offers informal support and guidance to the

NHS The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " ...

and other organisations on achieving successful change. The secretary of state can refer reconfigurations to the panel for scrutiny but only after a local authority has formally referred the changes to him. He can then choose whether to adopt their advice. The IRP is made up of experienced clinicians, managers and lay members who have wide-ranging expertise in clinical healthcare, NHS management, involving the public and patients, and handling and delivering successful changes to the NHS. The panel is led by the IRP Chair and supported by the Secretariat. There were suggestions that the panel was to be abolished as part of the

Health and Care Bill 2021 The Health and Care Act is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which is intended to dismantle many of the structures established by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Many of the proposals were drafted under the leadership of Sim ...

, but that was not included in the legislation.

References

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External links

Independent Reconfiguration Panel
National Health Service (England)