The NHS is to introduce gender quotas to ensure a 50:50 male-female split on trust boards, under controversial plans which will also see FTSE 100 leaders sent into ailing hospitals.

Health watchdogs said more women needed to be brought into the boardroom in order to improve the quality of decision-making, as the NHS faces the worst financial crisis in its history.

The regulator said female leaders were associated with a more “collaborative style of leadership” which could help NHS organisations work together to tackle mounting pressures.