Arms-length bodies review

This page provides information about the HTA and the arms-length bodies (ALB) review.

The HTA is still awaiting the Department of Health’s (DH’s) consultation on the transfer our functions, as well as the transfer of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s functions, which we expect to begin soon and run for twelve weeks. We continue to believe that the functions we regulate should stay together to ensure public confidence, and we are less concerned where those functions transfer, as long as they can be carried out effectively. As you are aware, the Government’s preferred option is to transfer our functions in their entirety to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and they intend to consult on that basis, whilst remaining open to receiving views on the way forward from stakeholders. There will also be a subsequent consultation at a later date focusing on using the powers under the Public Bodies Bill to achieve the transfer.

We will issue a special edition e-newsletter focussing on the arm’s-length bodies review shortly. We will also make our own response to the Department of Health. In this time of consultation and transition we will continue to work in collaboration to reduce the regulatory burden and provide value for money as an efficient and effective regulator.

Health and Social Care Bill

The Health and Social Care Bill, which proposes to create an independent NHS Board, promote patient choice, and to reduce NHS administration costs, received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament on 27 March. To read more visit the Parliament website.

We will continue to keep stakeholders regularly updated on these issues and the Department’s consultation. For more information read the ALB and shared services update paper from our March Authority meeting. Each Authority meeting has on update on progress with the ALB Review.