Is the health service being scrapped? What the abolishment of NHS England means FOR YOU

Prime Minister Keir Starmer today startled the nation after announcing he will scrap NHS England — which ministers have labelled the 'world's largest quango'.

The body's functions will be taken over by the Government's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) over the next two years.

The move is expected to see headcount cut by 9,000, resulting in 'hundreds of millions of pounds in savings'.

But what exactly is NHS England, and what will its dissolution mean for you?

Here, MailOnline reveals all the vital details about the upcoming shift.

Q: What is NHS England?

A: NHS England is a quango – Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation – a body which has a role in the processes of national government, but is not a government department or part of one.

It oversees NHS hospitals, as well as primary care services like GPs, and controls more than £190billion a year of funding for health.

The body also makes crucial decisions on what services, drugs and other treatments are available to patients across the country.

NHS England was established in 2013 by the then-Conservative government, in an effort to allow the health service to operate independently from politics, with objective leaders in charge of deciding how money is spent.

Its launch followed a series of health scandals that were blamed on improper oversight of the NHS by the government department.

It was thought that creating a separate, overarching body to govern the health service would put services under greater scrutiny, improving patient services.

Q: Why does the Prime Minister want to get rid of it?

A: The Prime Minister said abolishing NHS England would bring management of the health service 'back into democratic control'.

He also argued the move would free up cash that's tied up in the salaries of workers performing similar roles, which would be re-invested directly into Britain's health services.

It is thought that cutting the red tape will also speed up processes within the health service, giving greater responsibility to frontline NHS workers.

But No10 has been forced to deny that the initiative has been nicknamed 'Project Chainsaw' internally.

'We need more doers, and fewer checkers,' the Prime Minister said. 'Which is why I'm devolving resources and responsibilities to the NHS frontline.

'NHS staff are working flat out but the current system sets them up to fail.

'These changes will support the huge number of capable, innovative and committed people across the NHS to deliver for patients and taxpayers.'

Answering a question from a cancer patient on how the decision would improve the situation, the Sir Keir said: 'Amongst the reasons we are abolishing it is because of the duplication.

'So, if you can believe it, we've got a communications team in NHS England, we've got a communications team in the health department of government, we've got a strategy team in NHS England, a strategy team in the government department.

'We are duplicating things that could be done once.

'If we strip that out, which is what we are doing today, that then allows us to free up that money to put it where it needs to be, which is the front line.'

As health is a devolved matter, the equivalent bodies for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland cannot be abolished by the Prime Minister.

Q: Is it a sensible plan — and are patients at risk?

A: NHS bosses today voiced caution over the plan, saying there will be 'disruption' and patient care must be 'prioritised'.

However, both Sir Keir and health secretary Wes Streeting argued the move would benefit NHS staff and patients.

In the House of Commons Mr Streeting told MPs: 'Just because reform is difficult doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

'This government will never duck the hard work of reform. We will take on vested interests and change the status quo, so the NHS can once again be there for you when you need it.'

Both the Prime Minister and health secretary have previously spoken about their plans to enact bold reform of the NHS in England.

Sir Keir had promised that his government would execute the most radical reform of the service since its creation in 1948.

But neither had given any clue that the abolition of NHS England, and its merger with the DHSC, was on the cards.

The announcement will see significant job cuts.

Asked about the redundancies today, Mr Streeting said: 'She asks about the reduction of officials — the size of NHS England: there are 15,300 staff.

'In the DHSC: 3,300 — and across both we're looking to reduce the overall headcount by 50 per cent.

'That will deliver hundreds of millions of pounds worth of savings, and the exact figures will be determined by the precise configuration of staff, and obviously we'll keep the House updated on that.'

Q: Now what?

A: Mr Streeting told the Commons he wanted the transition to be completed in two years.

A new leadership team has also been brought in to help oversee the transition.

It comes after NHS England said leading board members were stepping down at the end of the month.

In February, Amanda Pritchard, NHS England's outgoing chief executive, announced that she would be leaving at the end of this month.

Chief financial officer Julian Kelly, chief operating officer Emily Lawson and national medical director will leave their roles in the coming weeks.

Sir James Mackey, who will be taking over as transition chief executive of NHS England, said while he knows the announcement will 'unsettle staff' it will also bring 'welcome clarity' as the NHS focuses on 'tackling the significant challenges ahead'.

Incoming NHS chair, Dr Penny Dash, added she will be working to 'bring together NHSE and DHSC to reduce duplication and streamline functions'.