As part of a sign that heralds huge strategic ambition, NHS England has invited a close adviser to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to its board as a non-executive director. The move reinforces the Department of Health and Social Care’s aspiration to bring NHS policy closer in tandem with the reforms included in Streeting’s 10-Year Health Plan.
🌟 Who’s Joining—and Why It Matters
Tom Kibasi—a trusted adviser who helped shape Streeting’s flagship 10 Year NHS strategy—is set to take up a non-executive directorship at NHS England. With a track record as Executive Director of Strategy at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Kibasi brings over two decades of experience in healthcare policy, systems analysis, and reform initiatives.
He also led the independent NHS Darzi review (2008) and subsequently contributed to the most recent NHS transformation road map in 2024. The new appointment positions him at the centre of NHS England’s strategic leadership, where he’ll provide guidance on national priorities, such as elective care backlog, workforce sustainability, and health and social care integration.
🤝Bridging the NHS and Dept. of Health Divide
This is an open indication from Streeting’s office—NHSE and DHSC need to work together more actively. Speculations indicate Streeting has been reorganising NHS England’s leadership to align his health care delivery reform plans. Appointing one of his advisors to the board ensures DHSC priorities—such as workforce investment, less bureaucracy, and data integration— are re-integrated more solidly into NHSE operations.
Kibasi’s presence could accelerate cross-department initiatives and reduce friction that has previously slowed long-term planning. It echoes Streeting’s call for a “new relationship” between DHSC and NHSE, with streamlined governance and shared accountability.
🔍 What This Means for the NHS
Faster alignment on long-term strategies – Kibasi can champion the 10-Year Plan from within the NHSE boardroom.
Stronger policy alignment – His combined understanding of DHSC thinking and NHSE realities would make implementation streams more streamlined.
Increased reform emphasis – Look for tougher scrutiny on priority areas such as elective waiting lists, workforce planning, and digital infrastructure.
🛠 Bigger Picture
This appointment represents a change in the way national health policymaking will work in the next few years. It places NHSE not only as a functional organisation, but as a strategic partner actively involved in the delivery of government-specified healthcare reform. Critics will naturally keep an eye on the board’s autonomy, but supporters say this unification is crucial to sustained change.
✅ Final Take
Getting Tom Kibasiontoo on the board of NHS England is more than a reshuffle—it’s a realignment. It marks an age when NHS policymaking and departmental leadership are configured to march in tandem. For health professionals and policymakers, it could mean a better-coordinated, reform-capable NHS—one poised to meet long-standing needs with one orifice.
As the healthcare environment continues to change, this board appointment gives a glimpse of the future where strategy, governance, and frontline delivery are more intertwined.