Four-way CCG merger planned for April
Four clinical commissioning groups in Lincolnshire have announced plans to merge in April, amid a wave of similar decisions around the country.
‘About that bus…?’: Not just Kent – The troubled health economies facing a no-deal jam
Welcome to the ‘About that bus…?’ weekly newsletter – giving you the inside track on how the fallout from Brexit is affecting the NHS at national and local level, edited by James Illman Contact me in confidence.
Special measures trust to ban GMC concern medics
A rural trust is rowing back on hiring locum doctors with General Medical Council restrictions, after a non-executive director questioned the “high number” of such staff being employed.
A&E downgrade pushes demand onto struggling neighbour
The full extent of the increased pressure on a struggling city hospital after the downgrading of a neighbour’s emergency department has finally been revealed.
Trust warns university is unable to fill nursing places
A rural trust has warned university places to study nursing are not being filled despite a recent boost in national funding to expand clinical placements.
Revealed: CCGs with highest rates of lung cancer detected in A&E
Two counties have six of the 10 worst performing areas for having lung cancer picked up in A&E, new data reveals.
Trust appoints interim chief after failed recruitment campaign
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has appointed an interim chief executive after an unsuccessful national campaign for a permanent recruit.
Special measures trust asks ‘how trustworthy’ are we?
A Lincolnshire trust which has been in special measures for more than two years is asking the public for their views on its reputation.
Single accountable officer appointed in Lincolnshire
A single accountable officer has been appointed to work across four Lincolnshire clinical commissioning groups.
Patient safety fears prompt no confidence vote at trust
Unions at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust have passed a ‘no confidence vote’ in its senior management because of patient safety concerns.
Personalised care in both the NHS and social care must be the default position
Glen Garrod makes a case for implementing integrated personal budgets for patients with funding from health and social care to ensure an “integrated experience”
Trust forecasts £32m agency staff spend
A Lincolnshire trust is predicting it will spend £32m on agency staff by the end of the year due to a high vacancy rate and staff turnover.
CQC investigates trust over 'duty of candour' breach
The Care Quality Commission could take action against an NHS trust after a coroner exposed its poor handling of a patient death and failure to follow duty of candour rules.
'Alarming' figures show thousands still waiting too long for wheelchairs
Thousands of disabled children who need a wheelchair are still being forced to wait more than four months from the time of their referral to the equipment being delivered, an exclusive HSJ analysis of official data has revealed.
Managers ‘consumed by operational issues’ as trust remains in special measures
Executives at an NHS trust have told the Care Quality Commission they are ”consumed by operational issues” with the regulator recommeding it remain in special measures.
Revealed: Millions of patients denied access to extended GP hours
More than five million patients have no access to extended GP opening hours with new NHS England data showing those CCGs which are furthest away from meeting national deadline.
Analysis: The areas struggling most with cancer targets
Cancer patients in three counties are at greater risk of death than elsewhere in the country because of slow referrals and late diagnosis, official data reveals.
Exclusive: Multiple CCGs consider minimum waiting times
An increasing number of clinical commissioning groups are considering the introduction of controversial minimum waiting times for “non urgent” NHS procedures, despite clinical and legal concerns, HSJ has learned.
A&E night closure will not face investigation
The overnight closure of Grantham and District Hospital’s A&E will not face a full investigation by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.
Special measures trust extends overnight A&E closure
Grantham and District Hospital’s emergency department will remain closed overnight for at least another three months, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has announced.