BRIS-52

Implement induction programme for new non-executive directors via Leadership Centre

Bristol Heart Inquiry · Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report · Issued 18 July 2001

Government responseNot tracked (historical inquiry)

DeliveryDHSC and NHS England say in progress (Feb 2026)

Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry

●Inquiry recommendation

Newly appointed non-executive directors of trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts should receive a programme of induction: this should refer to the principles and values of the NHS and their duties and responsibilities with regard to the quality of care provided by the trust. This programme should be provided through the NHS Leadership Centre.

Bristol Heart Inquiry, Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report · 18 Jul 2001 Source PDF →

Government response

●No formal government response recorded

The Index has not yet recorded a verbatim government response to this recommendation.

Delivery

●DHSC and NHS England say in progress · 27 Feb 2026

Please see further information on Board appointments and support in Recommendations 49-51.

NHS England has published guidance for the Local Induction for New Chairs and Non-executive Directors that sets out considerations for running an effective local induction programme to support the success of new chairs and non-executive.

NHS England hosts quarterly ‘Welcome Days’ for new Chairs, NEDs (and Chairs and CEOs).

An induction framework for all new staff has been developed and is currently undergoing final review for publication later in 2024.

E-learning induction modules for new Chairs and NEDs are due to be launched during 2024 which will link to the new national induction framework.

This is in addition to the wider directory of support offers for executive and non-executive Board members that was developed in August 2023 and has been refreshed and updated recently.

From: The Thirlwall Inquiry: Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025)

Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 52, PDF page 96.

What other bodies have found

In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.

●Thirlwall Inquiry legal team · 15 May 2024

The Government agreed with this recommendation.

In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said an induction guide for chairs and non-executive directors was being developed by the NHS Leadership Centre and the NHS Appointments Commission, to be published in January 2002.

From: The Thirlwall Inquiry: Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024)

Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 52, PDF page 89-90.

How this page is built

The recommendation and the government responses are verbatim from primary documents. Delivery statements and other bodies' findings are shown in their own words, each with its source. The summary is written by this site and labelled as such. The Index does not paraphrase sources or characterise intent; it records what has been published.