Leadership and governance reviews
Independent, tailored reviews to support trusts to drive continuous improvement.
Why regular reviews matter
Regular effectiveness reviews help ensure your governance structures, processes and relationships are fit for purpose – supporting your organisation’s strategic goals and contributing to the wider health and care system.
We offer a range of independent, tailored reviews that give you clear insight into what’s working, what could improve, and how your trust can operate even more effectively.
📌 Code of Governance requirement
NHS provider trusts are advised to carry out an external board effectiveness review every three to five years (Section C, 4.7). For foundation trusts, the council of governors should also carry out regular performance assessments (Section C, 4.8).
Find the right review for your
Developmental review
Understand where your board stands – and where it can go next.
This review provides an external assessment of your trust’s leadership and governance, aligned with the CQC and NHSE well-led framework under the single assessment model. We tailor the review to focus on what matters most to you.
You’ll receive clear, evidence-based insights to inform targeted development and support your trust’s future performance.
Ideal if you’re preparing for inspection, planning change, or want a health check on how well your leadership and culture are enabling delivery.
Board and committee effectiveness review
Check whether your structures, relationships and decision-making are helping – or hindering – progress.
Regular board and committee reviews ensure your governance arrangements are aligned to your strategic goals and the wider health and care system. We use surveys, interviews, document reviews and meeting observations to give you a 360° view of behaviours, group dynamics and how effectively decisions are made.
Clear recommendations help you strengthen performance, clarify roles and improve how your board works together.
Council of governor effectiveness review
Support your governors to perform their role confidently and effectively.
For foundation trusts, regular reviews of the council of governors are a key part of good governance. This can be carried out on its own or as part of a wider review.
You’ll receive practical feedback on how governors are fulfilling their duties, where improvements can be made, and how they can better support the trust’s overall leadership.
Helps build trust, clarify responsibilities, and support meaningful engagement between governors and the board.
How our reviews deliver value
Our approach
We don’t just assess – we help you improve.
Our evidence-based reviews deliver clear, practical recommendations to strengthen governance and board performance.
- Tailored to your needs
Every review is customised to your organisation’s structure, challenges, and priorities. - Independent, NHS-specific expertise
Led by former NHS chairs, non-executive directors, executive directors, and governance professionals. - Actionable insights
We give you practical next steps to enhance decision-making, board effectiveness and strategic oversight.
Review process phases
A structured but flexible approach helps you get the most out of each review.
1️⃣ Project initiation
Understanding your board’s objectives and defining the scope of the review.
2️⃣ Diagnostic phase
Review key documents and run surveys to identify areas of focus.
3️⃣ Engagement phase
Carry out interviews and observe meetings to assess board behaviours, decision-making and governance effectiveness.
4️⃣ Findings and reporting
Receive clear, evidence-based insights and a final report with practical, actionable recommendations.
Why choose NHS Providers?
- Deep NHS sector knowledge – Benefit from insights shaped by close engagement with NHS trusts and foundation trusts across acute, mental health, community, and ambulance sectors.
- Access to best practice – Draw on governance approaches developed through direct engagement with NHS boards across England.
- Experienced reviewers – Work with former NHS chairs, non-executive and executive directors, and governance professionals who bring real-world expertise.
- Development-focused approach – We don’t just assess; we help you embed meaningful governance improvements.
- Cost-effective solutions – As a not-for-profit organisation, we offer high-quality reviews at competitive rates.
Fresh eyes that drew on the experiences of a wide number of foundation trusts meant we could be assessed in the context of best practice nationally.
Chair, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation
