What’s in the new NHS planning guidance?

For the quickest way to get your head around the main changes, listen to our new HSJ Health Check podcast. You can listen on the web, or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all the other popular podcast platforms. And it’s free to access — so share away.

We cover:

• Big changes to funding rules;
• How half of trust funding support will now be linked to system — not organisation — performance;
• Whether trusts and commissioners will be let off their — in some cases, sizeable — loans;
• Why there are few specifics on workforce planning;
• What’s happening with the A&E target;
• New ambitions to avoid outpatient appointments; and
• Why commissioners are being required to make regular visits to people with learning disabilities who they house outside their area.

If you prefer the written word, here’s our full planning guidance coverage on hsj.co.uk:

• £1bn funding pot linked to ‘system performance’ 
• Trusts told to maintain ‘peak’ beds throughout whole year 
• Plans to set minimum level of tech spending for trusts 
• CCGs must visit out of area patients every two months
• NHS fails to spend £150m of apprenticeship levy