This is the home page of the NHS/SDO-funded project on Governance in the NHS. What difference does ‘governance’ in the health service make? In what ways does governance matter? Are adaptations in corporate/organisational governance required in order to enable fit with the new macro-level governance mechanisms in play at national level? What practical advice might be offered?

These are the kinds of questions explored in this major research project.

The research is being undertaken at all levels throughout the NHS - from the Department of Health through the various national regulators such as the Healthcare Commission and Monitor (the independent regulator) through bodies such as the Strategic Health Authorities and on through various hospital trusts and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). The research is also extending across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as England. In addition, there is some degree of international comparison with health systems outside the UK. In the present phase of the research this international work is of a limited scale though it is planned to grow this in the coming months.