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2021-22 was an unprecedented year for NHS Digital, which saw a massive increase in demand for technology infrastructure to help the health service deal with the pandemic.

This is reflected in the huge rise in temporary contractors used by the agency, with the amount spent quadrupling from the year before the outbreak (£22m in 2019-20) to the year in question (£92m in 2021-22).

During the same period, home working became increasingly prevalent, something that was heralded by many as a positive shift – but which also caused some issues for NHS employers.

The move meant “reduced direct management oversight, which could be exploited by opportunistic fraudsters”, NHSD’s annual report noted.

An example is that 15 temporary contractors in full-time roles with the agency were also found to hold full-time temporary contracts with other organisations.

NHSD’s counter fraud team did not find evidence of fraud by the individuals, and NHSE – which subsumed NHSD in February – added there was “no evidence of the NHS not receiving work specified under the contract”.

But the issue caused NHSD to take steps with the recruitment agency that supplied the staff to prevent reoccurrence.

Halt the hubs

A national plan to build new “super” primary care hubs in six areas has been halted with immediate effect by NHS England because of a lack of capital funding.

An email from NHSE director of estates and facilities Simon Corben, seen by HSJ, said no further money should be spent, or commitments made to contractors, on the hubs.

Since spring 2021, NHSE has supported and funded development of plans for six “pioneer” Cavell centres, which were due to be led by integrated care boards and bring together GP practices with health, social care, voluntary and community services.

However, Mr Corben’s email says work on all of them should be stopped until a national programme business case is approved. It means the required capital funding – expected to be around £40-60m per hub – has not been approved.

Board papers suggest the projects may be considered again for funding at the next comprehensive spending review, which may take place in 2024.

There has been particular outcry about the halting of the work in Devon.

Plymouth councillor Patrick Nicholson said: “We were encouraged to bring forward a proposal… We haven’t led the public up the garden path. We’ve been led up the garden path by the government pulling the national funding.”

Also on hsj.co.uk today

An NHS England-commissioned review into Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Foundation Trust has found its leadership tolerated high levels of safety incidents and has “insufficient professional curiosity” regarding verbal assurances. And University Hospitals of Derby and Burton FT has been ordered to pay more than £200k after pleading guilty to failing to provide safe care to a dementia patient who fatally injured himself.