NHS Online Hospital Recruitment
NHS England has initiated the search for a chairperson for its upcoming online hospital, NHS Online, which is set to be established as a trust in June 2026.
Overview of NHS Online
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the launch of NHS Online in September 2025.
- The online hospital aims to connect patients with expert clinicians digitally across England.
- A job advertisement from recruitment agency Saxton Bampfylde describes NHS Online as the NHS’s first national, digital-first trust, addressing key challenges in elective care.
Key Details
- The online hospital will officially launch on June 1, 2026, with clinical services expected to begin in 2027/2028.
- NHS Online will operate as a regulated NHS trust, accountable to the public and Parliament, and will be inspected by the Care Quality Commission.
- Access to the online hospital will be available through the NHS App.
- The initiative aims to align clinical capacity with patient demand and promote flexible workforce participation.
Chairperson Role
NHS England is looking for an exceptional chair to lead NHS Online, with responsibilities including:
- Working one day a week with an annual salary of Β£55,000.
- Bringing experience in leading complex organizations, preferably in digital-first or technology-enabled environments.
- Guiding a significant innovation in the NHS.
Impact of NHS Online
NHS Online is projected to deliver up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments within its first three years, allowing local providers to focus on patients requiring in-person care. This initiative is considered one of the most ambitious service innovations in recent NHS history.
Strategic Goals
The online hospital aims to:
- Provide high-quality, clinically rigorous elective care without geographical constraints.
- Set national standards for virtual elective care.
- Contribute significantly to elective recovery efforts.
Board Composition
Recruitment is also underway for six non-executive directors to join the NHS Online board, who will:
- Set strategic direction and uphold quality and safety standards.
- Ensure the trust delivers sustainable public value.
A full board is expected to be established by the end of December 2026.
Initial Treatment Priorities
Earlier this month, NHS England announced that NHS Online will address nine common conditions, including:
- Menopause and menstrual problems
- Glaucoma
- Medical retina issues
- Cataracts
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Prostate enlargement
- Raised prostate-specific antigen