London Eye: Who gets what care
Essential insight into England’s biggest health economy, by HSJ bureau chief Ben Clover.
Revealed: The ICSs furthest behind on dental access
Several integrated care systems are struggling to deliver more than half the NHS dental appointments they had hoped for in 2023-24, and all areas are lagging, figures obtained by HSJ suggest.
CEO admits ‘fundamental error’ over radical primary care plan
An integrated care board CEO has apologised for poor timing and communication about a plan to require nearly all urgent and straightforward GP appointments to be moved out of conventional practices, and into separate “hubs”.
ICB drops radical GP access plan after opposition
An integrated care board has U-turned on a proposal to move most same-day urgent primary care appointments into hubs separate from the rest of general practice, after a backlash from the profession and community.
Embattled trust seeks merger
A high-profile mental health trust is looking to merge with another organisation amid questions over its long-term viability.
‘Untenable stalemate’ is halting GP practice upgrades, say ICBs
An “untenable stalemate” in funding has virtually halted GP practice building work, despite national commitments to expand primary care, multiple NHS organisations are warning.
ICB whistleblowing process ‘not fit for purpose’
An integrated care board has found its handling of whistleblowing “not fit for purpose”, after a complaint about safety incidents not being properly investigated.
Two execs drafted in to help ailing trust
A challenged acute trust has made two executive appointments, including an interim chief operating officer drafted in at short notice.
Exclusive: Government and NHS in talks over £1bn funding gap
Government is in talks with national NHS leaders over how to fill an urgent funding gap of at least £1bn this financial year, HSJ has learned, as new analysis shows all 42 local integrated care systems were behind their own plans less than halfway through 2023-24.
Revealed: the ICSs where delayed discharge rates have doubled in a year
More than half of integrated care systems have managed to cut their rates of delayed discharges this year, but performance worsened in 16 ICSs.
Provider fined record £1.5m over patient death
A private healthcare provider has been ordered to pay more than £1.5m – the largest fine issued for such a case – after pleading guilty in a criminal prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission over an inpatient’s death.
ICB hands urgent treatment centres to trusts after ending firm’s contract
An integrated care board has handed the operation of six urgent treatment centres to trusts after terminating a private provider’s contract.
Trust apologises to dozens of families after harm to children
A hospital trust has apologised to families after dozens of children suffered hearing loss following failures in their care.
All but two ICSs publish new five-year plans
All but two integrated care systems have published new five-year ‘forward plans’, setting out how they will attempt to recover health services, improve health and wellbeing and mitigate inequalities.
Revealed: First ICS digital maturity ratings
HSJ can reveal the first ratings given to every integrated care system for the ‘digital maturity’ of its NHS providers.
Embattled firm blames ‘onerous’ NHS contracts
A private firm which ceased running four NHS urgent treatment centres earlier this year has claimed it was due to “onerous” terms and expectations in the face of rising demand.
London Eye: Trusts wobble on consultant pay demand
Essential insight into England’s biggest health economy, by HSJ bureau chief Ben Clover.
London Eye: What’s in Caroline Clarke’s in-tray?
Essential insight into England’s biggest health economy, by HSJ bureau chief Ben Clover.
Revealed: the tenfold regional difference in access to GP records
Fewer than one in 10 GP practices offers patients access to their records in several areas of England, with significant variation across England, six months ahead of a new deadline.
London Eye: The Lloyds Bank £56m
Essential insight into England’s biggest health economy, by HSJ bureau chief Ben Clover.