The Government have announced that NHS managers who commit serious misconduct won’t be able to take up other senior NHS roles, under plans to boost patient safety.
Bernie O'Reilly, CEO and Registrar at the HCPC said:
"The Government’s announcement of the introduction of a statutory barring scheme for NHS leaders in senior roles is an important step forward for patient safety. We welcome the commitment to provide the HCPC with appropriate powers to further protect the public.
“As the Government’s consultation makes clear, the vast majority of leaders and managers across the NHS work hard every day, making difficult decisions in often challenging circumstances to ensure patients receive the safe and effective care. Sadly, there have also been high-profile instances where this has not been the case, and a number of independent reviews have highlighted failures of leadership within the NHS.
"It is vital that senior managers in the NHS lead their organisations with the behaviours and values expected of the health service. If a senior manager is found to have committed serious misconduct, they should not be able to continue lead in the NHS.
“The introduction of a new system of regulation will be complex to get right. We will work closely with the Government, senior NHS leaders, representative bodies, and the wider sector, as the legislation is developed. It is essential that the new disbarring process has the right levels of funding, resourcing, and independence to help keep patients safe.”
Page updated on: 21/07/2025