Independent review
Completed
Messenger Review
Independent review examining leadership and management across health and social care in England. Identified cultural, structural and talent management weaknesses and proposed system-wide changes to leadership standards, accreditation and career pathways for NHS managers.
Government Response
On the day of publication (8 June 2022) the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, accepted all 7 recommendations of the Messenger Review in full. The measures covered uniform management standards delivered through accredited training, a standard appraisal system, and a new career and talent management function for managers. Implementation has been taken forward through the NHS Management and Leadership Programme.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
1. Targeted interventions on collaborative leadership and organisational values.
A new, national entry-level induction for all who join health and social care.
A new, national mid-career programme for managers across health and social care.
A new, national entry-level induction for all who join health and social care.
A new, national mid-career programme for managers across health and social care.
Recommendation 2
2. Positive equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action
Embed inclusive leadership practice as the responsibility of all leaders.
Commit to promoting equal opportunity and fairness standards.
More stringently enforce existing measures to improve equal opportunities and fairness.
Enhance CQC role in ensuring improvement in EDI outcomes.
Embed inclusive leadership practice as the responsibility of all leaders.
Commit to promoting equal opportunity and fairness standards.
More stringently enforce existing measures to improve equal opportunities and fairness.
Enhance CQC role in ensuring improvement in EDI outcomes.
Recommendation 3
3. Consistent management standards delivered through accredited training
A single set of unified, core leadership and management standards for managers.
Training and development bundles to meet these standards.
A single set of unified, core leadership and management standards for managers.
Training and development bundles to meet these standards.
Recommendation 4
4. A simplified, standard appraisal system for the NHS
A more effective, consistent and behaviour-based appraisal system, of value to both the individual and the system.
A more effective, consistent and behaviour-based appraisal system, of value to both the individual and the system.
Recommendation 5
5. A new career and talent management function for managers
Creation of a new career and talent management function at regional level, which oversees and provides structure to NHS management careers.
Creation of a new career and talent management function at regional level, which oversees and provides structure to NHS management careers.
Recommendation 6
6. More effective recruitment and development of non-executive directors
Establishment of an expanded, specialist non-executive talent and appointments team.
Establishment of an expanded, specialist non-executive talent and appointments team.
Recommendation 7
7. Encouraging top talent into challenged parts of the system
Improve the package of support and incentives in place to enable the best leaders and managers to take on some of the most difficult roles.
Improve the package of support and incentives in place to enable the best leaders and managers to take on some of the most difficult roles.
No recommendations with this response.