Watch: Devolution and what it means for the NHS

We are in the midst of a ‘devolution revolution’. Local Councils have been replaced with Unitary Authorities; Unitary Authorities have come together to form Combined Authorities; Combined Authorities and their Mayors are on track to gain more power over local services. But what does this all mean? And what are the implications for the NHS and specifically NHS trusts?

It is critical that NHS leaders understand how they fit into this new world, the important role they can play, and the challenges these nascent political structures face. The NHS cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of devolution, nor can devolved administrations afford to leave the NHS out of the picture. While many Mayors do not currently have formal responsibilities over health, they have become the primary figures influencing determinants of health. Local economic growth and improved health outcomes require partnership.  

This was the fourth part in a webinar series led by Michael Wood, head of Health Economic Partnerships. Michael advises NHS leaders nationally and locally on policy, strategy, partnerships and funding relating to the local economy, including in areas such as skills and workforce, estates, innovation, population health and finance. 

Speakers

• Dr Nik Johnson is a Labour Co-op politician and paediatrician who served as the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough from 2021 to 2025. "Originally from the North-East of England, Dr Johnson qualified as a doctor in 1993 and has worked continuously as an NHS paediatrician at Hinchingbrooke Hospital since 2007. His frustration at dealing with health inequalities on a daily basis drove him to be active in local politics, including serving as a district councillor, and standing as a parliamentary candidate for Huntingdon in 2015. In May 2021 in a surprise election result, he was elected as the Labour Metro Mayor for the Combined Authority of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough where he served for 4 years before standing down in May 2025. Advocating that the three Cs of “compassion, cooperation and community” his compassionate approach was nationally recognised for turning around and leading the Combined Authority to success."
• Jack Newman is a research fellow at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. His research asks how the decentralisation of political institutions can lead to more effective public policy. With a focus on spatial inequality and English devolution, Jack has worked on projects on local policymaking (University of Surrey), the UK constitution (University of Cambridge), and productivity (University of Manchester). His current research considers the capacity of political institutions to implement preventative health policy.
• Jen Connolly is Associate Director for Improving Population Health, working jointly between West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Jen has over 15 years’ experience in the public health profession, including working in the NHS and local government. She has worked in East Sussex, across the Northwest, and now in West Yorkshire. Notably, as Director of Public Health for Stockport, Jen led the area’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also chaired the Stockport Active CIC Board, responsible for the council's leisure services provision. Jen now leads on the determinants of health for the West Yorkshire system, embedding a health in all policies approach and looking at opportunities to improve health and wellbeing through the devolution agenda.