List of NHS regional hospital boards (1947–1974)
The National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales, upon its establishment in 1948, was structured around a system of Regional Hospital Boards (RHBs). These boards were responsible for the planning, organisation, and management of hospital services within their designated regions. The system aimed to decentralize the administration of hospitals, moving away from reliance on voluntary hospitals and local authority provisions to a more unified and nationally funded framework.
The RHBs were established under the National Health Service Act 1946, and their remit included commissioning new hospital buildings, upgrading existing facilities, and coordinating hospital services to avoid duplication and ensure comprehensive coverage across their regions. They were also responsible for appointing senior hospital staff and managing the budgets allocated to them by the Ministry of Health.
There were 14 Regional Hospital Boards in England and Wales, each covering a defined geographical area. They were aligned, where possible, with the catchment areas of university medical schools, reflecting the importance of teaching and research in the NHS from its inception. The regional structure was intended to promote collaboration between hospitals and universities and to encourage the spread of best practices.
The RHB system existed until the major NHS reorganization of 1974. The reorganization, implemented under the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973, replaced the RHBs with Area Health Authorities (AHAs), which had a broader remit that included community health services and family practitioner services, in addition to hospitals. The change was intended to improve coordination between different parts of the NHS and to make the service more responsive to local needs. The abolishment of RHBs marked a significant shift in the management structure of the NHS. The boards themselves consisted of members appointed by the Minister of Health, often including doctors, nurses, local government representatives, and individuals with experience in management or public service.