Introduction
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please read the full candidate information pack which is at the bottom of this link.
Introduction from the Chair
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP).
As an advisory public body, the IRP is committed to providing independent, expert advice to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and others on effective NHS service change in England.
Since 2003 we have provided advice on a vast range of proposals across the healthcare system and I am proud of our reputation as a trusted source of impartial advice to support health ministers in their decision making so that the quality and sustainability of care for patients can be improved.
We are a diverse and inclusive panel and welcome applications from a broad range of talented individuals with a proven track record of experience as either a senior clinician or patient and public (lay) representative.
We are looking to appoint members who can demonstrate sound judgement with excellent communication skills and knowledge of the issues involved in complex service change in order to form recommendations based on an analysis of the evidence.
If you are passionate about health and have the skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for, we very much look forward to receiving an application from you.
Best wishes,
Professor Sir Norman Williams
Chair of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel
Appointment description
The IRP provides independent advice to Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care on proposals for changes to local NHS services (reconfigurations) in England.
You will work with the Chair and Panel members to:
• Attend formal IRP business meetings six times per year with additional meetings arranged on an ad hoc basis to discuss casework commissioned by Ministers.
• Consider the concerns raised in the requests received by Ministers to use their legal powers to intervene in local NHS reconfigurations, including from MPs, local authorities, local campaign groups and members of the public.
• Review a substantial amount of written evidence for NHS reconfiguration proposals including business cases, consultation responses, performance data and impact assessments in order to provide expert advice and recommendations to ministers in the form of an independent report.
• Conduct site visits to local NHS organisations and meet with stakeholders to gather further evidence to support Ministerial casework as and when required.
• Keep up to date with NHS policy and strategy and Ministerial priorities for the work of the Department of Health and Social Care which may impact on the IRP’s role.
Organisation description
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) was created in 2003 as an advisory non-departmental public body made up of a committee of external experts who operate in a personal capacity to provide independent advice to Ministers about changes to NHS services.
A reconfiguration of NHS services is defined by the Department of Health and Social Care as a change in the arrangements made by an NHS commissioning body for the provision of NHS services where that change has an impact on either of the following:
• the manner in which a service is delivered to individuals (at the point when the service is received by users)
• the range of health services available to individuals
The Health and Care Act 2022 reformed the powers for Ministerial intervention in the reconfiguration of NHS services. These powers came into force in January 2024 and allow the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to call in an NHS reconfiguration proposal at any stage for review. The Secretary of State has retained the IRP to support Ministers with their decision-making under this process.
The role of the IRP in supporting Ministers is set out in the statutory guidance on Reconfiguring NHS services – ministerial intervention powers. This can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powersFurther information about the work of the IRP and its terms of reference can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/independent-reconfiguration-panelBoard composition
The membership of the IRP is drawn from three groups (spilt equally): Clinical, NHS Managerial and Lay.
The IRP has six meetings a year. Additional meetings are arranged on an ad hoc basis for members to review casework commissioned by Ministers as required, which may include some travel to NHS sites across England.
Two meetings are held in
London in May and November with the rest online via Microsoft Teams. Meetings are scheduled on the
following dates in 2025: 14 January, 11 March, 15 May, 08 July, 09 September
and 11 November.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website 