NHS Providers

NHS Providers

NHS Providers is a membership organization representing NHS hospital, mental health, community, and ambulance services in England. It plays a crucial role in supporting NHS trusts and foundation trusts, providing them with a collective voice and helping them to deliver high-quality care to patients.

History

NHS Providers was established in 2004 as the Foundation Trust Network, initially to support the newly created NHS foundation trusts. In 2011, it expanded its membership to include all NHS trusts, not just foundation trusts, and rebranded as NHS Providers in 2013.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of NHS Providers is to support NHS trusts and foundation trusts to deliver high-quality, sustainable NHS services for patients. Its objectives include:

• Advocacy: Representing the interests of NHS providers to the government, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Support: Offering guidance, training, and development opportunities to NHS leaders and staff.
• Networking: Facilitating the sharing of best practices and collaboration among NHS providers.
• Policy Development: Contributing to the development of health policy by providing insights and evidence from the provider sector.

Structure and Governance

NHS Providers is governed by a board of trustees, which includes representatives from its member organizations. The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring it meets its objectives. The day-to-day operations are managed by a chief executive and a team of staff.

Membership

Membership of NHS Providers is open to all NHS trusts and foundation trusts in England. Members benefit from access to a range of services, including policy briefings, events, and training programs. As of 2023, NHS Providers represents over 90% of NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

Key Activities

NHS Providers engages in a variety of activities to support its members, including:

• Policy and Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to influence health policy and ensure the needs of NHS providers are considered.
• Events and Conferences: Organizing events such as the NHS Providers Annual Conference, which brings together leaders from across the NHS to discuss key issues and share best practices.
• Publications and Resources: Producing reports, briefings, and other resources to inform and support NHS leaders.
• Training and Development: Offering programs to develop the skills and knowledge of NHS staff and leaders.

Challenges and Future Directions

NHS Providers faces several challenges, including financial pressures, workforce shortages, and the need to integrate services across health and social care. The organization is focused on supporting its members to address these challenges and improve patient care.

Also see

• NHS England
• NHS Trust
• NHS Foundation Trust
• Healthcare in the United Kingdom