The Governance manual sets out how NHS England is governed and consists of the standing orders, the scheme of delegation and the standing financial instructions.

Standing orders

The Standing Orders are the rules of procedure which govern the NHS England board.  

Scheme of delegation

The Scheme of delegation sets out the formally delegated responsibilities of NHS England’s functions, duties and powers to directors and officers of NHS England.  

Standing financial instructions

The Standing Financial Instructions detail financial responsibilities, policies and procedures adopted by NHS England. They are designed to ensure that our financial transactions are carried out in accordance with the law and government policy in order to achieve probity, accuracy, economy, efficiency and effectiveness. 

Board members’ register of interests and declarations

In accordance with the standing orders, NHS England is required to maintain a publicly available register of board members’ interests. The register contains, as they become available, the  declarations of interest made by NHS England members.

Details of business expenses, gifts and hospitality and external meetings held with non-NHS/non-public sector organisations are submitted quarterly by board members.

• expenses incurred by board directors 
• a register of gifts and hospitality 
• details of external meetings held by our board directors with non-NHS/non-public sector organisations. 

Board committees

NHS England’s board has delegated some of its duties and responsibilities to board committees. These committees provide regular assurance to the board on their specific areas delegated to them and, by exception, escalate issues that merit full board discussion and decision. They are led by non-executive directors and include:

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

The primary role of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) – which meets 4 times per year – is to provide assurance to the board about the integrity of NHS England’s financial statements and the comprehensiveness, reliability and integrity of its internal control, risk management and governance processes.

Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee, which meets 6 times a year, supports the Board by ensuring that NHS England is delivering against strategic priorities, including those set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, and providing clear direction to the wider NHS – in the context of the transformation programme and integration of NHS England and Department of  Health and Socal Care.

Finance and Performance Committee

The Finance and Performance Committee, which meets 4 times a year, supports the Board by reviewing and overseeing system performance across access, workforce and finance domains to identify where improvements need to be focused.

People Committee

The People Committee, which meets 4 times per year, supports the board in ensuring that NHS England as an employer has appropriate people and workforce strategies in place and is delivering these, provides assurance to the board on NHS England’s workforce risks and oversees strategic people management and organisational development.

It also oversees and determines appointment and remuneration matters in respect of NHS England employees, integrated care boards (ICBs) and NHS trusts on behalf of the board. It also ensures that high calibre leaders are in place across the NHS in England.

Nominations Committee

The People Committee has delegated authority for Succession planning and Board composition to the Nomination Committee.

Quality Committee

The Quality Committee meets 6 times per year and supports the board in ensuring that NHS England’s duties and responsibilities in relation to quality are fulfilled, and that there is continuous improvement in the quality of services provided in connection with prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of illness, and the protection or improvement of public health provided to individuals.

Data, Digital and Technology Committee

The Data, Digital and Technology Committee (DDaTC), which will meet 4 times per year, considers and makes recommendations on digital and technology strategy (including cyber strategy) to the NHS England Board and oversees implementation.

It advises on development of data and technology architecture and assures the board on discharge of data functions, including overseeing and scrutinising how the functions are exercised and the steps taken by NHS England to follow the statutory guidance on NHS England’s protection of patient data, and how NHS England protects confidential patient information.

Cyber Security and Risk Sub-Committee

The Cyber Security and Risk Sub-Committee – a sub-committee of DDaTC– meets 4 times per year, and forms a core part of NHS England’s internal control and risk management system, providing assurance to the board, through DDaTC, on cyber security and insider threats.

Research, Innovation and Growth Board

The Research, Innovation and Growth Board, which meets 6 times a year, supports the Board in the delivery of ambitions set out in the 10 Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) related to innovation in health and healthcare.