#2026/530Online National Health Service Trust Establishment Order 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This order creates a new NHS trust in England called the Online National Health Service Trust. Its role is to provide goods and services for the health service, with a formal establishment date of 1 June 2026 and full operation starting on 1 February 2027. Before it becomes fully operational, the trust can sign NHS and other contracts, hire staff, prepare for Care Quality Commission registration, and do the practical setup work needed to begin operating. The order also sets its board structure at 5 executive directors and 6 non-executive directors, in addition to the chair.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Creates the Online National Health Service Trust as a new NHS trust in England from 1 June 2026
- Sets 1 February 2027 as the date when the trust takes on its full functions
- Allows the trust to sign contracts, hire staff, prepare for CQC registration, and complete setup work before launch
Obligations
What this law requires
The Online National Health Service Trust must operate as a National Health Service trust established on 1 June 2026 to provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service.
The Online National Health Service Trust must have, in addition to its chairman, 5 executive directors and 6 non-executive directors.
The Online National Health Service Trust must begin operating from its specified operational date of 1 February 2027.
The Online National Health Service Trust must use 31 March as its accounting date.
Between 1 June 2026 and 1 February 2027, the Online National Health Service Trust may enter into NHS contracts only as part of its limited pre-operational functions.