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Arm's length bodies (ALBs) are a key part of the health and social care system. Their work ranges from regulatory and advisory functions, to ethical and clinical-related roles. The former Secretary of State for Health, John Reid, announced his intention to carry out a review of the Department of Health's ALBs at the Health Select Committee on 30 October 2003. He announced overall parameters for the review on 20 May 2004:
In July 2004 the Department of Health published Reconfiguring the Department of Health's Arm's Length Bodies which sets out the conclusions based on the analysis of the review and the input of the ALBs. On 30 November 2004, the Department of Health published the Implementation Framework document, which sets out the principles, processes and timescales by which the ALB change programme will be implemented.
The Department's review of its ALBs is intended to lead to a rationalisation of their numbers and remits in order to deliver:
The report sets out the first steps in reducing the number of bodies from 38 to 20.
The implementation framework sets out the final plans and timetable for change.
The Department of Health's Commercial Directorate helped a number of ALBs that provide central services to the NHS to work out their best business model and identify where savings could be made.
Questions and answers about the policy, human resources and finances.
