Website of the Department of Health
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Categorisation of arm's length bodies
ALBs regulate the health and social care system, establish national standards, protect patients and the public, and provide central services to the NHS.
Regulatory ALBs
ALBs that hold the health and social care system to account. They often have their own primary powers and on the whole are independent.
Public welfare ALBs
ALBs that focus primarily on safety and the protection of public and patients. Some of these ALBs have international remits as well.
Central services to the NHS ALBs
Central services to the NHS ALBs will provide improved cost-effective services and focused expertise across the health and social care system.
Additional links
Reconfiguring the Department of Health's arm's length bodies
The report sets out the first steps in reducing the number of bodies from 38 to 20.
Redistributing resources to the NHS frontline
The ALB review's implementation framework sets out the final plans and timetable for change.
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