Please see below an update on some key strategic documents from NHS England which link to performance of elective services, which including GI Endoscopy, are relevant for all assessors but particularly management assessors.

Introduction

The NHS Oversight Framework and the Medium Term Planning Framework are important to JAG assessments because they set the national expectations that endoscopy services must meet across England, including NHS‑funded activity in the Independent Sector. These frameworks outline the performance standards, recovery goals, and accountability measures that Trusts are required to deliver. Many of these metrics and requirements directly affect endoscopy capacity, diagnostic performance, and cancer pathway delivery. Understanding these frameworks helps JAG assessors evaluate services in the context of the pressures, targets, and improvement plans Trusts are working to achieve to improve patient access to endoscopy.

Awareness of these national frameworks supports JAG assessors understand how local endoscopy services align with broader organisational planning and performance obligations. The standards within these frameworks such as Referral to Treatment (RTT), cancer waiting times, and diagnostic access (DM01 standard) underpin endoscopy performance, workforce planning, and service resilience.

By recognising these broader performance needs, especially those used by JAG management assessors, services can be judged more accurately on whether they are meeting JAG standards in a sustainable way and supporting Trust‑level priorities. This is particularly relevant to the following GRS domains:

• 4 – Appropriateness and Access
• 7 – Performance and Productivity

NHS England Oversight Framework

The NHS National Oversight Framework provides a consistent and transparent way of assessing NHS Trusts, ensuring accountability for performance and improvement. It sets out agreed national priorities and metrics – this includes cancer and elective recovery metrics such as Referral to Treatment – helping NHS England identify where organisations are excelling and where additional support is needed. The framework is designed to strengthen local autonomy while maintaining national standards, balancing immediate priorities with longer-term goals such as tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes.

Link: NHS England » NHS Oversight Framework 2025/26

NHS Medium Term Planning Framework

The NHS Medium Term Planning Framework (2026/27–2028/29) sets out a strategy to restore performance, reduce waiting times, and strengthen local access to care. The Medium Term Planning Framework is a requirement for all NHS Trusts in England, and specifically includes the below relevant performance standards to achieve between now and the end of 2028/29:

• Elective (including diagnostic) reform and activity to deliver 92% 18-week referral to treatment by the end of 2028/29.

• Improve performance against key cancer standards: maintaining performance against the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) at 80% and improving 31 and 62 day standards to 96% and 85% respectively.

• Improve performance for diagnostic waiting times so that the rate of those waiting over 6 weeks is 1% (DM01 measure).

Link: Medium term planning framework - delivering change together 2026/27 to 2028/29

Further Information

JAG Assessors are encouraged to contact the JAG Office with any queries that may arise relating to access and performance standards whilst assessing for accreditation visits and annual reviews.