In 2025/26, we made some changes to the way we work. Our operating model is simple and helps us focus on what matters most.
The house figure (right) shows our key areas of focus.
Our Strategic Approach to Clinical Services (SACS) guides everything we do. This provides a clear, 10-year framework for how we create fit services for the future. All FTs are working towards our shared SACS ambitions.
As well as a long-term view through SACS, we are also looking at the ‘here and now’. We have two key strands of work to.
- improve planned care so we can see more people, more quickly.
- reduce the demand we see on urgent / emergency care by changing how we work.
We are also working together to on 3 key things. These are the foundations that affect us all.
- the staffing and skills we need to deliver care.
- the buildings where we deliver care from.
- how tech and digital can help us.
In everything we do, we think about how to get the best value patient care. We need to make sure our services are set up well for the future and financially stable.
We also have some key projects that are time limited. NENC Providers lead on these for the system to deliver change at pace. This includes:
- improve access to medicines by increasing local manufacturing capacity and reducing delays.
- maximise the value of medicines by improving efficiency, reducing waste and supporting better patient outcomes.
- develop confident and capable leaders who can drive improvement and transformation across services.
- make better use of NHS resources through more effective and collaborative procurement.
- improve patient transport services so people can access care more easily, safely and on time.
During 2024/25, we saw some key personnel changes to our system at a senior leadership level:
- Brent Kilmurray, CEO at Tees, Esk at Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust took up a new role as Chief Executive at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust with effect from April 2025.*
- Helen Ray, CEO at North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust retired in June 2025.**
- Sue Jacques, CEO at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust announced in December 2024 her intention to retire with plans ongoing for her successor.***
- Sir Jim Mackey was appointed as Interim CEO of NHS England on the 1 April 2025.****
