Patients ‘pushed and laughed at’ by staff at ‘inadequate’ hospital
Two private hospitals can no longer admit patients without permission from regulators, after inspectors flagged multiple instances of poor care, including patients being pushed and laughed at by staff.
‘Missed opportunities’ in management of troubled service, review finds
Several ‘missed opportunities’ by local commissioners to tackle problems within a troubled autism service have been identified by an independent review.
Exclusive: Regulator launches independent review into care of vulnerable man
NHS England and Improvement have launched an independent review into the care and death of a man with learning disabilities, following concerns raised by HSJ.
CCGs face external review into handling of troubled contract
An independent review triggered by NHS England will examine the oversight and management of a troubled children’s autism service by local commissioners, HSJ has learned.
Children feared ‘lost to the system’ by failing service
Parents fear their children have been “lost to the system” because of problems with staffing and assessment delays in a failing service.
GPs reject merger ‘driven by NHS England’
GPs have voted against proposals to merge six clinical commissioning groups in Staffordshire, after being told the plans were “driven by NHS England”, HSJ has learned.
Provider withdraws services amid contract dispute
Children with autism have been left in limbo after a private provider withdrew the majority of its services amid a dispute with commissioners.
Finance director of struggling CCGs resigns
The chief finance officer for six clinical commissioning groups facing financial difficulties has resigned.
High Court orders second inquest into 'cover up' child death
The High Court has ordered a new inquest into the death of a three-year-old boy at Stafford Hospital following new evidence which called into doubt the original verdict.
Financial regime has cost us £19m, says struggling trust
An acute trust in special measures has claimed the national financial regime for NHS trusts has resulted in £19m of extra costs and lost income.
Troubled commissioners reveal £34m financial hole
Commissioning leaders in northern Staffordshire have admitted they will miss their financial plans by more than £30m in 2018-19.
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.
Solicitor general backs CCG bid for new inquest after HSJ exposé
The attorney general’s office has backed a bid for a new inquest into the death of a three-year-old boy at Stafford Hospital following an alleged “cover up”.
Bid for new inquest after child death 'cover up'
The attorney general is considering granting a second inquest into the death of a three year old boy who died at Stafford Hospital after three independent experts have backed his parents and cast doubt on the original investigation.
CCGs appoint joint accountable officer to cover entire county
The six clinical commissioning groups covering Staffordshire have appointed a single accountable officer.
Leader stepping down at poorly rated STP
The leader of one of the most poorly rated STPs is expected to step down and be replaced.
CCGs abandon £535m flagship prime provider contract
A tender worth half a billion pounds for end of life care services in Staffordshire has been abandoned due to the development of the area’s STP and difficulties, satisfying the new national scrutiny process, HSJ has learned.
CCG leader appointed director of troubled STP
A commissioning leader from the North West has been appointed as director for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent sustainability and transformation partnership, HSJ has learned.
Trust chair steps in to lead STP
NHS England has appointed a community trust chair as interim leader for the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent sustainability and transformation partnership, following failure to recruit a permanent head since November.
Flagship £690m cancer procurement abandoned over financial fears
A controversial tender for cancer services in Staffordshire worth £687m has been abandoned after a consortium led by a private provider failed to convince commissioners its offer was financially viable.