HSJ’s round-up of the day’s essential stories and analysis

Time to deliver

“A blueprint to save the NHS” went the Daily Mail headline above its interview with Simon Stevens ahead of the Five Year Forward View delivery plan, which is due on Friday.

There was actually little detail in the story about the 5YFV refresh, but it could still be a significant moment for the NHS – as Dave West explains in his latest expert briefing.

He says: “Presumably the clear message that NHS England wanted to convey to the government and the rest of the Mail audience is that the health service is being ruthless about making savings, and isn’t squeamish about personal responsibility or shifting justified costs on to private individuals.

“Lots of NHS staff will find the thrust of the interview hard to stomach but the service has been calling for help sending out the message that under current funding it can’t do everything demanded of it, and for air cover for controversial decisions like blocking prescriptions.”

And you can read his previous briefing for what to expect from the refresh later this week.

Unvarnished truth

Forty years after filing his debut HSJ article, Michael White’s final column has been published.

In it, he looks back on the health service, history and his place in the “grey tsunami”.

Meanwhile, four health secretaries and two NHS England chief executives have paid tribute to HSJ’s retiring political columnist. Jeremy Hunt said “we’ll miss his frank and sage writing”, while Alan Milburn added: “Mike White has provided unrivalled and authoritative insight.” Sir David Nicholson said Michael’s writing forced the NHS to face “the truth unvarnished”.

The definitive article

A coalition of health and social care providers has warned the Theresa May she must protect the UK’s ability to recruit and retain staff, as she starts the process of removing the UK from the EU.

The PM triggered Article 50 on Wednesday, beginning the country’s withdrawal from the EU.

The Cavendish Coalition of 34 health and care organisations has set out what it thinks the government needs to focus on during its negotiations with the EU to maintain safe services.

The group, which was set up following last June’s referendum result, has written to Jeremy Hunt, Amber Rudd and David Davis, urging them to develop an immigration policy based on the skill and public service value of workers rather than the salary they will earn.