The abolition of NHS England is a ‘necessary move for the NHS to move forward', a trust leader has told Healthcare Management.

Laura Skaife-Knight, chief executive of NHS Orkney, said the move, which was announced in March, was necessary to respond ‘to the challenges of today and the future'.

Skaife-Knight added: ‘Streamlining, reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary duplication and creating a more joined-up and coherent system (from national to local levels) is undoubtedly needed to improve care, to optimise service delivery and experience (patients and staff) and efficiency.'

She called for ‘more long-termism of planning and delivery' and less ‘chopping and changing' in order for the NHS to succeed for patients and local areas, rather than being driven by ‘political agendas'.

Skaife-Knight added: ‘As we watch things unfold, I very much hope the voice of patients and staff remain central to change and improvement during and beyond this period of transition, that local NHS organisations and leaders have a strong voice and that this reform enables the large scale transformation needed in the NHS that enables this brilliant institution to be the best it can be, future proofs the NHS and is a lever for more ‘long-term thinking' which is something I know staff on the ground are craving.'

The trust leader said it was important not to underestimate the impact on the people who were affected by the announcement and facing uncertainty over their futures.

She added: ‘For this reason my view is the transition period should be as short as possible, whilst allowing careful thought to be given to the future operating model, and which has strong input from patients, staff, staffside and local NHS organisations.'