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.
£38.5m deficit leaves trust needing ‘cash support to continue operations’
An ambulance trust is moving from forecasting breakeven at the end of 2023-24 to a £38.5m deficit, and declared it will need to be given extra cash ‘to support continuing operations’.
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.
CEO named for new trust
A chief executive has been named for a new community and mental health trust in the south of England ahead of its planned formation next year.
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.
ICB and seven trusts put in ‘recovery’ after refusing to submit balanced financial plan
An integrated care board and all seven of its member trusts have been placed into the ‘recovery support programmes’ – formerly known as special measures – by NHS England, after declaring a deficit plan for 2023-24.
ICSs most ‘off target’ on recovery named by NHS England
Seven integrated care systems and one ambulance trust have been placed in ‘intensive support’ because of their performance against urgent and emergency care metrics.
‘Archaic’ and risky patient records still used by most GP practices
Most GP practices in England are still using ‘archaic’ Lloyd George paper records despite a commitment to digitise them, HSJ has found.
Revealed: the ICSs that refused to set breakeven plans
More than half the integrated care systems in the north of England have refused to agree a balanced financial plan, HSJ has learned.
Trusts to share joint chief ahead of breakup
Two trusts in the south of England have named a joint chief executive as part of a major reorganisation.
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.
Children must wait for ‘crisis’ before autism diagnosis, say overwhelmed systems
New restrictions are being introduced for autism assessments, with some areas now only accepting referrals for patients in crisis, HSJ has learned.
Revealed: the 14 ICSs admitting they will end the year in deficit
At least 14 integrated care systems have now officially admitted they will end the year with a budget deficit, after just five areas said this at the start of the year.
Two trusts to appoint single chief executive
Two trusts are set to appoint a single chief executive and executive team as they move towards a joined-up leadership model.
Revealed: Impact of new payment tariff on every local system
Trusts in the south of England are expected to see a lower rate of income growth under the planned new payment tariff for 2023-24.
NHS leaders fear ambulance strike ‘calm’ will not last
The first NHS ambulance strike for 32 years appears not to have had any major impact so far.
NHS leaders ‘filled with dread’ ahead of ambulance strike
National, system and trust leaders have told HSJ they fear for the safety of patients and the wellbeing of staff as the NHS experiences its first ambulance strike for 32 years.
Trust appoints replacement for chief who left for national job
An acute trust in the south of England has announced its new chief executive, more than a year after its former CEO left for a national role.
Trusts set to merge after ICS review
An integrated care system is planning a new trust for all its community and mental health services, which are currently offered by several providers.
The Ward Round: A stop-gap with questionable ethics
Staffing is the issue keeping NHS leaders awake at night – and which consumes two-thirds of trusts’ spending. The fortnightly The Ward Round newsletter, by HSJ workforce correspondent Annabelle Collins, ensures you are tuned in to the daily pressures on staff, and the wider trends and policies shaping the workforce.