Ben Heather
Ben Heather is HSJ’s technology correspondent as well as covering the NHS in parts of the West Midlands and South West. He joined HSJ in 2017, and has been working as journalist for 11 years, both in the UK and New Zealand. He was previously news editor at Digital Health News. He won the inaugural Press Gazette specialist media award’s “technology” category in 2018.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 020 7608 9076
- Email:
- ben.heather@wilmingtonhealthcare.com
Expert BriefingThe Download: ‘Chaos’ reigns as uncertainty grows over IT funding
The fortnightly newsletter that unpacks system leaders’ priorities for digital technology and the impact they are having on delivering health services. Contact Ben Heather in confidence here.
Expert BriefingThe Download: NHSX undermines Hancock’s vision
The fortnightly newsletter that unpacks system leaders’ priorities for digital technology and the impact they are having on delivering health services. Contact Ben Heather in confidence here.
Expert BriefingThe Download: When people die
The fortnightly newsletter that unpacks system leaders’ priorities for digital technology and the impact they are having on delivering health services. Contact Ben Heather in confidence here.
NewsNHSX to oversee industry access to patient data
Matt Hancock’s new tech unit is assuming new controls of the sharing of NHS patient data with industry, after banning trusts from striking their own exclusive deals.
NewsQuango spends £11m shedding hundreds of staff
The government agency charged with delivering NHS digital transformation spent £11m last year shedding more than 400 staff.
NewsSir Bruce Keogh joins messaging app company
Former NHS England medical director Sir Bruce Keogh has been hired to advise the health tech company trying to sell an alternative to WhatsApp to the NHS.
NewsExclusive: Government overruled concerns with 999 IT system
Patients have died after the government overruled multiple safety concerns raised about an IT system used to triage 16 million NHS patients a year.
NewsYoung children among 11 deaths sparking concerns over 111/999 software
An HSJ investigation has uncovered 11 prevention of future death reports since 2015 where coroners raised safety concerns about NHS Pathways software used by NHS 111 and 999 call handlers.
NewsTrust accuses CCG of short-changing waiting list recovery plan
A West Midlands trust says people will be left waiting for surgery for more than a year after commissioners refused to fund a regulator-backed plan to cut its elective waiting list.
News£26m IT project written off
A major IT project run by the current chief executive of the Care Quality Commission while at his previous employer racked up more £26m in losses, the organisation has disclosed.
Expert BriefingThe Download: Raising one’s standards
The fortnightly newsletter that unpacks system leaders’ priorities for digital technology and the impact they are having on delivering health services. Contact Ben Heather in confidence here.
NewsDalton appointed automation tsar
Former NHS Improvement chief executive Ian Dalton is now heading a government task force charged with automating public services.
NewsSir David’s troubled trust rejects centre’s saving plan
One of the country’s most troubled hospital trusts, which is chaired by former NHS England chief executive Sir David Nicholson, has rejected regulators’ request for it to rein in its large deficit.
NewsUpdate: Trust cancels appointments for second day after IT crash
A West Midlands trust has cancelled surgery and other appointments today after an IT system crash.
NewsPaperless 2024 target a 'stretch' – NHSX CEO
The NHS’s top IT executive has said the long-term plan commitment to digitise all hospital trusts by 2024 will be “a stretch” and require “sharp progress” by the least advanced providers.
NewsPlan to break up CCG rejected
Sandwell and West Birmingham GPs have rejected a proposal to break-up their clinical commissioning group, despite the city’s local medical committee saying a vote against the split would be a “disaster”.
NewsSafety of health apps to be tested in government 'sandbox'
The regulation of “less than perfectly accurate” health apps is to be overhauled, Matt Hancock’s senior tech advisor has said.
NewsSecond digital maturity index scores in full
This is a full list of trusts’ scores on the second digital maturity index, based on HSJ analysis of NHS England data.
NewsNHSE plans new controls on expansion of ‘Uber-GP’ service
NHS England is proposing changes in GP funding and regulation to control the expansion of Babylon’s controversial digital-first GP at Hand service, Simon Stevens has said.
Expert BriefingThe Download: Trust digital maturity revealed at last
The fortnightly newsletter that unpacks system leaders’ priorities for digital technology and the impact they are having on delivering health services. Contact Ben Heather in confidence here.