FTs discuss potential merger
Two providers in the north west have begun talks about merging, amid wider plans to improve integration across services.
Trust in talks over running five GP practices
An acute trust in the north west is in talks over running several GP practices on its patch, HSJ has learned.
Exclusive: CCG inefficiencies 'blocking' access to IVF
Commissioning inefficiencies are said to be “blocking” patients’ access to IVF, as new data reveals some areas are spending at least twice as much as others on a single cycle of fertility treatment.
Quarter of CCGs fall below psychosis spend benchmark
Nearly a quarter of clinical commissioning groups are spending less than the estimated sum needed to provide proper care to seriously ill mental health patients, according to a new analysis by HSJ.
Revealed: Babylon’s national expansion push
Digital health company Babylon Healthcare has contacted more than a dozen clinical commissioning groups as it pushes for expansion across the country, including extending its NHS GP partnership to two new cities.
Revealed: One in 10 CCGs flout key NHS spending pledge
One in 10 clinical commissioning groups have cut their mental health spending according to new figures from NHS England, more than double the previous year.
North by North West: Cheshire and Merseyside trails on GP access
Essential insight into NHS matters in the North West of England, with a particular focus on the devolution project in Greater Manchester. This week by Rebecca Thomas, who covers Cheshire, and Lawrence Dunhill, who covers Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester
Leaked STP document reveals A&E downgrade plans
The sustainability and transformation plan for Cheshire and Mersey includes the downgrade of at least one accident and emergency department, along with a major consolidation of elective care, according to a document obtained by HSJ.
North by North West: Mad fer mergers
Essential insight into NHS matters in the North West of England, with a particular focus on the devolution project in Greater Manchester. By Lawrence Dunhill
Council chief appointed CCG director
A senior council officer has been appointed “interim recovery director” of a troubled clinical commissioning group in Merseyside.
Chief of 'inadequate' CCG resigns
The accountable officer of a troubled clinical commissioning group in the North West has resigned
Exclusive: GP groups cover most of England but ‘lack ambition and priorities’
Four fifths of clinical commissioning groups have at least one large scale GP provider group in their area, according to information collected by HSJ.
Revealed: Second commissioning support tender winner
The second tender for commissioning support services awarded via NHS England’s procurement framework has gone to Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit.
Regional health powers included in Liverpool devolution bid
The Liverpool City Region has declared it wants to explore taking greater control of health functions, including creating a ‘local leadership role’ for ‘performance oversight’.
Chief executive ‘excluded from work’ after whistleblower complaints
The chief executive and three other senior officers at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust have been ‘excluded’ from work, following whistleblowing complaints.
CCGs must buy external support services, NHS England says
NHS England has told clinical commissioning groups in the north to jointly go to market to procure vital support services.
Trust told to improve mental health services
PERFORMANCE: Commissioners have told 5 Boroughs Partnership Foundation Trust to boost its performance in for improving access to psychological therapies services
Trust forced to place mentally unwell children out of area
MENTAL HEALTH: Some young people with mental health problems have been placed in inpatient units out of the 5 Boroughs Partnership Foundation Trust’s remit because of lack of space in its own child and adolescent mental health services.
Construction of new mental health facility underway
STRUCTURE: Building work has begun on a mental health facility in Leigh as part of 5 Boroughs Partnership Foundation Trust.
CCGs taking on full primary care co-commissioning powers revealed
NHS England has revealed the 64 clinical commissioning groups that will take full control of their local primary care budgets from April.