NHSE Audit and Risk Assurance Committee – Thursday 22 May 2025 

Key items discussed

Risk management update

• Updated on the risks emerging from organisational integration, and the current Strategic and Operational Risk Registers with a focus on cyber security.
• The Committee will continue consider joint working with the DH ARAC. In the meantime the risk and Internal Audit teams will liaise with their counterparts at the department to ensure that plans and actions are aligned.

Status of Internal Audit Management Actions

• Updated regarding the current position with regard to the status of open internal audit actions for NHSE. The committee received an update on the actions assigned to the Transformation Directorate.
• Annual Internal Audit Plan – progress report
• Updated on the delivery of the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan. Noted that seven draft audit reports have been issued.

Standing Financial Instructions update

• Approved the amendments to the Standing Financial Instructions, which reflect organisational changes taking effect from April 2025.

Breaches of Standing Financial Instructions Q4 2024/25

• Received a summary on the breaches of the procurement elements of the Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) within NHS England (including Commissioning Support Units) during quarter 4 of the 2024/25 financial year.

Quarter 4 Losses and Special Payments 2024-2025

• Updated regarding the losses and special payments that occurred in NHS England for quarter 4 of 2024/25.

Counter Fraud Annual Action Plan

• Updated on the planned counter fraud activities in the 2025/26 Counter Fraud Action Plan.
• The 2025/26 Counter Fraud Action Plan detailed the planned key actions, outcomes and metrics and risks. These actions are aligned to the four key strategic themes detailed in the Counter Fraud Strategy 2023-2026.

Update on Consolidated Provider Accounts and NHS England Annual Report and Accounts 2024–25

• Updated on the preparation of the NHSE annual report and accounts and the consolidated provider accounts for 2024/25. Audit sampling is currently underway.

NHS England & Consolidated Provider Accounts – National Audit Office (NAO) Progress Report

• Reviewed the latest NAO progress report on the NHS England and CPA audits.

NAO Recommendations

• The Committee discussed the recommendations from the NAO, with a focus on the robustness of financial controls, cyber resilience, and the sustainability of the year-end reporting process in a transitioning system.

 Publication reference: Public Board paper (BM/25/31(Pu))