Regional directorates are to be scrapped

The four regional directorates of health and social care are to
be scrapped in a radical restructuring exercise, the department of
health has confirmed.

The functions of the four regional directorates – London,
South, North and Midlands and East – are to be integrated
into the central ministry, said a doh spokesperson.

‘We are keen to devolve more responsibility to the
strategic health authorities, given that they are developing well
into their role as local headquarters of the NHS, and reduce our
involvement in the day to day operational management of the
NHS,’ she said.

The department refused to confirm reports that the
nine-month-old regional offices are likely to be abolished by the
spring.