Policy paper

NHS mandate 2017 to 2018

The mandate to NHS England sets out the government’s objectives and budget for the public body.

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NHS England is responsible for arranging the provision of health services in England. The government’s mandate to NHS England sets direction for the NHS, and helps to ensure that the NHS is accountable to Parliament and the public.

This mandate reaffirms the government’s commitment to an NHS that provides the best care and support to today’s patients, and also safeguards the service for future generations.

Building on the previous multi-year mandate, which came into effect on 1 April 2016 setting long-term objectives and goals to 2020, this mandate focuses on the same 7 high-level objectives. It sets out the main aims in each area for the financial year 2017 to 2018 to achieve the 2020 goals.

The financial directions accompanying this mandate set out certain additional expenditure controls to which NHS England must adhere. These stem from budgetary controls that HM Treasury applies to the Department of Health.

Published 20 March 2017
Last updated 21 March 2018 + show all updates
  1. The mandate to NHS England for 2017-18 has been revised to reflect changes to NHS England's budget during the financial year (see page 13). The corresponding breakdown of budget figures in the financial directions has also been updated. There were no other changes to the content.

  2. First published.