Classification: Official
Publication reference: PRN01887

To:

• NHS trust and foundation trust:
  • chief executives
  • chairs
• Integrated care board:
  • chief executives
  • chairs

cc.

• Regional directors

Dear colleagues

Update on 2025/26 planning round

We are all aware of the financial and operational challenges facing the NHS and the broader economic context we are working in. This all means that our planning for 2025/26 is especially important in developing plans that give us confidence that we will deliver on our key commitments.

The first cut submissions made on 27 February do not meet this expectation with, like previous years, a very significant financial deficit (£6.6 billion when deficit support is stripped out) and limited confidence of delivery of operational expectations. We cannot allow this to continue and drift into the financial year, so we have been considering a fundamental reset of the financial regime and accountability so that we can all, quickly, get a grip of this situation and give us the best chance of delivering what our population and our staff need from us.

So, with Richard and Penny’s agreement, we have decided to re-purpose the event on Thursday 13 March and invite CEOs to join Chairs to discuss how this reset needs to work, with the aim of all leaving with clarity of expectations and confidence in delivery.

We are sure that you will understand the importance of this, and regional colleagues will work with you to ensure optimum attendance, within the constraints of the venue. In the meantime, please accelerate your planning and commissioning discussions locally to maintain progress ahead of the event.

Thanks and see you then.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer, NHS England
Sir James Mackey, National Director of Elective Recovery/Incoming Transition CEO, NHS England