Consultation outcome

New regulations for how NHS auditor panels work

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Download the full outcome

Detail of outcome

The department received 38 responses to the consultation - 84% of those who responded agreed that the auditor panel’s non-audit work should be set in regulations.

Respondents commented on the definition of ‘independence’ for auditor panel members and other comments covered drafting improvements and operational queries. Section 3 of the response shows the minor amendments to the draft regulations that will be made.

The main changes are:

  • there is a need for at least 2 members or 50% (whichever is higher) of the auditor panel to be present
  • clarifying the requirements for appointment of panel members not already members of an NHS trust’s governing board or clinical commissioning group’s governing body
  • the wording on the auditor panel’s role in agreeing non-audit work by the external auditor has been strengthened

We will aim to lay the regulations in December 2014 and work with NHS England, the NHS Trust Development Authority and other NHS bodies to produce guidance to support the regulations.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on the regulations on the form and independence of auditor panels for NHS Trusts and CCGs.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The proposed regulations establish how auditor panels or audit committees will be set up so they can advise on the appointment and management of local auditors, and give advice on non-audit work.

These regulations are part of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

Documents

Published 28 July 2014
Last updated 6 November 2014 + show all updates
  1. Updated to include the department's response to New regulations for how NHS auditor panels work

  2. Closing date for consultation has been extended to 19 September 2014

  3. First published.