STRUCTURE: Barnsley Hospital Foundation Trust is not interacting heavily with local emerging commissioners, and is respecting their wish to be given “breathing space” rather than heavy interaction.

NHS Barnsley, the FT’s primary care trust, has not yet confirmed the shape of emerging commissioning consortia in the area.

A report from the Barnsley Hospital chief executive to the board said: “The first two waves of pathfinders now cover more than 50 per cent of the country’s population but as yet none of the Barnsley based consortia have opted for pathfinder status.

“Our local consortia remain in the early stages of development and interaction with them currently respects their request for ‘breathing space’ during their early development.”