HEE Operating Model

We have developed our Operating Model in response to the changes in the health and care system set out in the Health and Care Bill, in particular to the development of statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) which ICSs are implementing with the guidance of NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I). The primary purpose of our Operating Model is in describing how our business will be delivered through the relationship between national and regional teams in support of our Regions who lead our collaborative relationships with ICSs.

Our Operating Model elements comprise:

• Our Operating Model which includes the principles, core activities and a delivery spectrum guiding how we will conduct our business set within our integrated planning framing.  This has been tested through a range of key business areas and will be further developed to include sections on accountability and corporate enabling functions/work areas; and to take account of NHSE&I’s Operating Model development and the Health and Care Bill progression.
• Guidance on the HEE and ICS Relationship This covers the key areas of work activity on which we, through our Regions will collaborate with ICSs.  These are based in the ten ICS People function outcome areas contained in NHSE&I’s ICS People function guidance and set within the integrated planning framing applied to ICSs. This will be developed through further engagement.

We will also develop a knowledge repository of worked examples of our Operating Model in action as it is applied in practice.

We have produced two versions of each document – a PDF and web copy which can be accessed below. Please note the web copy includes text descriptions of diagrams and tables contained within the PDF version to ensure accessibility for all. 

HEE may update this Operating Model during the 2021/22 transition year as the Health and Care Bill passes through Parliamentary stages to Royal Assent; as ICSs move towards statutory status and as NHSE&I guide that process and develop their Operating Model. We will engage with ICSs and other stakeholders and partners to continuously improve this guidance.