Responding to the government’s announcement of a public consultation on proposals to regulate NHS managers Danny Mortimer, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“NHS leaders are committed to transparency and accountability. When we consulted NHS boards they were clear that they should be held to the same standards with regards to public protection and safety as their clinical colleagues. We reflected this in the advice we offered the Secretary of State for Health as to any new arrangements might be implemented.  

“We look forward to working with him to ensure that the new arrangements command the confidence of our members and, above all, the public

“There are, therefore, important principles to establish regarding the independence of any new arrangements, including investigation against clear standards of professional conduct (as exist already for other professions). In establishing arrangements that apply to all parts of health and social care (including our regulators), we must all ensure that problems of discrimination encountered elsewhere are not replicated.”