This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/irp-code-of-practice/irp-code-of-practice
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel () is an advisory non-departmental public body made up of a committee of external experts who operate in a personal capacity to provide independent specialist advice, free from political control, to ministers about reconfigurations. Informal advice is also provided by the to the , local authorities and other interested parties upon request.
The Health and Care Act 2022 reformed the powers for ministerial intervention in the reconfiguration of services. These powers came into force on 31 January 2024 and allow the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to intervene at any stage of an reconfiguration proposal. The Secretary of State has retained the to support effective and timely decision-making under this process.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, supported by the Minister of State for Health, is accountable to Parliament for all matters concerning the , including the policy framework within with the operates.
The Director of System Oversight and Integration in the Department of Health and Social Care () is the senior civil servant responsible for managing the relationship with the on behalf of ministers. Officials within will liaise regularly with the via the Secretariat to communicate new policy developments that may impact the work of the .
The Chief Executive, supported by the Secretariat, is responsible for the day to day operations and management of the including its standards of behaviour and corporate governance.
The Chair is responsible for leading the to deliver its responsibilities and is bound by the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and the Nolan Principles of Public Life.
The Chair is responsible for:
Communications between the and the responsible minister will normally be through the Chair who should meet at least once a year to reinforce their relationship and review any issues of concern, including performance, risks and public appointments.
The consists of up to 15 members drawn equally from three areas of expertise: clinical, managerial and lay. Members have collective responsibility for the work of the and are appointed in a personal capacity and not as representatives of their organisations.
Members should:
Appointments to the are made by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The length of tenure is decided by ministers with a strong presumption that no member should serve more than two terms or ten years in total.
Reappointments and extensions require the agreement of ministers. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment. Each case is considered on its own merits and will consider the diversity of the current panel and its balance of skills and experience.
The appraisal of the Chair will be conducted annually by the Director of System Oversight and Integration in .
The Chair is required to undertake an annual appraisal process for members which is proportionate to the role and will focus on both outcomes and behaviours. A record of the appraisal will be provided to . No reappointments or extensions will be made without a satisfactory performance appraisal which will be considered by ministers as part of the decision-making process.
The will publish an annual report of the previous year’s activities on GOV.UK.
If members are approached directly by the media they should inform the Secretariat before making any comments or being interviewed about reconfiguration issues, even if those issues are not directly related to the ‘s work.
Members are required to declare publicly via the ‘s register of interests any private financial or non-financial interests which may, or may be perceived to, conflict with their public duties as a member of the . The register will be published on GOV.UK and members are responsible for informing the Secretariat of any changes.
Members should consider declaring interests against the following categories:
An oral declaration should be made to the Chair during meetings if the interest relates to a particular issue under consideration and will be recorded in the minutes.
Members are required to remove themselves from the discussion or determination of matters in which they have a financial interest or where the interest might suggest a risk of bias.
Members must not accept any gifts or hospitality which may or may reasonably appear to, compromise their personal judgement or integrity or place them under an improper obligation. Members should inform the Secretariat of any offers of gifts or hospitality and ensure that, where accepted, it is recorded in the public register of interests for the .
Members are responsible for decisions on the acceptance of gifts or hospitality and for ensuring that these can stand up to public scrutiny and do not bring their role as a member of the into disrepute.
Members should not make political statements or engage in political activity on matters directly related to the work of the . Any requests to attend party conferences in an official capacity must be approved by both and the Cabinet Office.
Members must be mindful of commenting on government policies and practices on social media which may compromise the role of the as an impartial source of advice to the government.
Members are required to exercise care in the use of information acquired in the course of their duties and to protect such information in line with the ‘s guidance on information governance. Members must not misuse information gained in the course of their role for personal gain or for political purpose.
Members must not disclose any information which is confidential or sensitive and this duty continues to apply after they have left the .
