NHS England to assume direct control of service planning in failing regions

NHS England is taking the unprecedented step of assuming direct control over the running of hospitals and GP services in three English regions with historic quality issues.

The new Success Regime is being rolled out initially in Essex, North Cumbria and North, East and West Devon, with the aim of solving deep-rooted and systemic issues that have not been addressed by previous interventions.

It is hoped that this will drive short-term improvements against agreed quality, performance and financial metrics, which can be developed in the longer term into new transformative care models and improved leadership standards.

NHS England, Monitor and the Trust Development Authority will work together to provide leadership and resources, working across organisational boundaries to help make the changes that are needed.

Anthony Farnsworth, NHS England's director of commissioning operations for the south-west, said: "We know we can do so much more collectively, working across organisational boundaries, than we can individually. That is a central message of the scheme unveiled today."

It is thought that this model could be applied to other regions at a later date if it proves successful.