All articles by James Illman
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HSJ LocalCEO tells staff ‘silence is complicity’ after record sexual misconduct reports
An ambulance trust has dismissed “multiple staff” for sexual misconduct offences this year following its “highest year ever for reported sexual safety incidents” in 2024, HSJ has learned.
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HSJ LocalHospital group appoints first CEO
The newly-formed Norfolk and Waveney Hospitals Group has appointed its first chief executive.
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NewsICBs to impose ‘minimum waiting times’ for services
NHS England has proposed introducing “minimum waiting times” for certain elective specialties as system leaders grapple with how to balance clinical needs and a real terms funding cut for local services.
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NewsTarget date for NHSE abolition revealed
National leaders are targeting October 2026 for the abolition of NHS England and consolidation of its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care, HSJ understands.
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Expert BriefingRecovery Watch: Out of the frying pan and under the microscope
Elective recovery and returning the NHS to meeting the 18-week standard by 2029 is the government’s main performance priority. The Recovery Watch newsletter tracks prospects and progress against this goal. This week by bureau chief James Illman.
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NewsProvider’s board clearout sparks ‘real shock’
One of the NHS’s largest private hospital providers has cleared out its board, with its CEO, finance chief and other key figures all leaving the business in recent weeks.
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NewsCap on elective care funding to be scrapped
NHS England is scrapping plans to cap how much trusts can earn from elective work in 2025-26.
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News‘Brutal’ cuts to ICBs and NHSE slammed by ex-health secretary
Dame Patricia Hewitt has raised “deep concerns” about the major restructure of the NHS’s central bodies – and criticised the “appalling” treatment of staff and the “absolutely brutal” manner in which the cuts are being managed.
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NewsCancer tests and virtual wards targeted for new cuts
Recently-opened cancer testing centres and virtual wards will be among the services cut back as the NHS seeks to eliminate a £6.6bn forecast deficit, senior leaders have told HSJ.
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NewsNew elective contract ‘unworkable’, say providers
New national payment rules for private providers of elective care are “unworkable” and will undermine patient choice, the sector is warning.
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HSJ LocalTrust ends over three years in ‘special measures’
A mental health trust which has suffered prolonged performance, leadership and cultural problems has been lifted out of the regime formerly known as special measures after more than three years.
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Expert BriefingRecovery Watch: The trusts with the biggest challenge under new elective targets
Elective recovery and returning the NHS to meeting the 18-week standard by 2029 is the government’s main performance priority. The Recovery Watch newsletter tracks prospects and progress against this goal. This week by bureau chief James Illman.
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NewsTrusts to take on ICB responsibilities next year
Some trusts will take over responsibility for the “planning and transformation” of services from integrated care boards by March next year, according to the 2025-26 national planning guidance.
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NewsNHSE to cut a further 2,000 posts
NHS England plans to cut around a further 15 per cent of its headcount — about 2,000 posts — it has told staff this morning.
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Expert BriefingRecovery Watch: The plan to massage the waiting list
Elective recovery and returning the NHS to meeting the 18-week standard by 2029 is the government’s main performance priority. The Recovery Watch newsletter tracks prospects and progress against this goal. This week by bureau chief James Illman.
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NewsExclusive: Elective recovery scheme ‘wide open to gaming’
Plans to pay trusts to validate and sometimes remove patients from their waiting lists could be “wide open to gaming” and create a public perception problem, senior NHS figures have told HSJ.
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Expert BriefingReform Watch: What the new elective plan means
With the launch of Labour’s plan for elective care, Recovery Watch becomes Reform Watch. This newsletter will track the new government’s plans to “re-imagine” the NHS.
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NewsEvery trust given individual elective waiting time target
Every trust must improve its performance against the 18 week elective care target by a minimum of five percentage points by March next year, a new government plan has revealed.
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NewsGPs to be paid to seek consultant opinion before referring
New payments for GPs to incentivise a significant reduction in referrals are among a range of measures being announced by the prime minister in a “radical” new plan to slash the elective waiting list.
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NewsNext year's elective target revealed
NHS England is set to commit to treating 65 per cent of elective patients within 18 weeks by next March, as a staging post to meeting the 92 per cent constitutional target by 2029, under plans to be unveiled next week.