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 5 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.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee meets 3 times per year and oversees succession plans for the board and senior management, board composition and board evaluation.

People and Remuneration Committee

The People and Remuneration Committee, which meets 5 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.

Quality Committee

The Quality Committee meets 5times per year and supports the board in ensuring that areas concerning patient safety, the quality of care provided to patients and patient experience are continuing to improve and develop to meet the needs of patients in England.

In doing so, the committee ensures strategies are continually improving quality, safety, and experience of care.

Membership includes a number of patient and public voice members.

Data, Digital and Technology Committee

The Data, Digital and Technology Committee (DDaTC), which will meet 6 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 ARAC – 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.

Workforce, Training and Education Committee

The Committee, which meets 6 times per year, oversees all functions that ensure the NHS in England has a sufficient and inclusive workforce with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours to deliver compassionate, high-quality health and care to the people it serves.

The committee’s work plan ensures that the functions above are aligned to delivering the Long Term Workforce Plan and vision for the NHS workforce: more people, working differently, in a compassionate and inclusive culture.

New Hospital Programme Delivery Committee

The NHP Delivery Committee meets monthly to scrutinise, challenge and assure delivery of the NHP on behalf of the board.

CFO Advisory Group

The CFO Advisory Group meets four times per year and provides advice to the Chief Financial Officer and other senior executives in carrying out their responsibilities in respect of significant financial matters, the central commercial function, and estates and facilities.