HSJ Health Check

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan sits down with NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor during this year’s ConfedExpo conference, which has been happening at the same time as the Chancellor’s spending review.They cover whether Labour may have hoped for more money for the health service, NHS reform (and the personalities involved), the cultural acceptance of the status quo in the NHS, and how Mr Taylor would advise Wes Streeting on avoiding further resident doctor strikes.

This week we bring you the latest in our series of HSJ Health Check podcasts tracking the development of the government’s planned Health Bill.The series will explore what ministers and officials have in store as their vision for the NHS emerges, as well as the ups and downs of the process and politics of delivering legislation. This week, Dave West and Annabelle Collins are joined by Siva Anandaciva, director of policy, events and partnerships at the King’s Fund and Barts Health associate non-executive director, and Helen Buckingham, former director of strategy at the Nuffield Trust, following 20 years experience at board level in local and national NHS organisations. We discuss what’s been going on behind the scenes since the last episode and our experts’ take on what should be in the Bill… both serious and not.

Nick Cattuno and Henry Anderson, both HSJ journalists, unravel the government’s new pay framework for senior NHS managers, exposing looming real-term pay cuts and the challenge of recruitment amid high turnover. They delve into the impact of performance-linked pay while highlighting the disparities in earnings among executives. The duo also discusses the implications of the upcoming NHS spending review, focusing on funding challenges and potential shifts in priority areas like digital infrastructure and mental health.

This week the team look at two long-running issues in the NHS. Bureau chief Ben Clover, standing in for Annabelle Collins, is joined by Alison Moore to discuss whether scandal-ridden maternity services are going to get another national review, and whether that would be a good thing. Plus a look at some of the fundamentals in the sector.Then Ben is joined by estates correspondent Zoe Tidman to look at whether the NHS needs a Robin Hood to redistribute some of the capital money from the richer trusts to the needier ones

The discussion dives into the slow uptake of artificial intelligence in the NHS, revealing a focus on diagnostics and voice technology. Various barriers, such as regulatory confusion and funding shortages, hinder progress. The contrast between NHS and private sector adoption is highlighted, showcasing the potential for innovation. Additionally, challenges in implementing electronic patient records and the skepticism surrounding current strategies are explored. The pressing need for clearer regulations and better training for healthcare professionals is emphasized throughout.

NHS England has revealed its new “model ICB blueprint”, which will see more than a dozen functions transferring out of integrated care boards and requirements to cut the number of board members.We cover what the new slimmed-down ICBs will look like and what these changes will mean for providers.Also - HSJ revealed last week NHSE and the government are slashing ring-fenced funding for services such as maternity and mental health. We discuss the impact this could have on patient care and safety.

Bill Morgan, a seasoned political advisor with experience in 10 Downing Street, teams up with Sharon Brennan, Director of Policy at National Voices, to explore the groundbreaking changes in the NHS. They dive into the proposed abolition of NHS England and its implications for governance. The conversation touches on the challenges of restructuring and prioritizing patient engagement amidst political maneuvering. They also assess the complexities of passing new health legislation and the urgent need to balance cost savings with quality care.

Zoe Tidman, a journalist specializing in health finance, reveals alarming insights about the NHS's new hospital programme delays, including £150 million potentially wasted. She discusses the shift towards community services and technology amid dwindling funds for major rebuilds. Tidman also considers the return of Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), weighing the pros and cons against past failures. Additionally, she touches on the recent appointments within the NHS leadership and their implications for the future of healthcare strategy.

The podcast dives into the impact of NHS England's merger on Integrated Care Boards, sparking concerns about job security among staff. It discusses vital changes as ICBs transition to a community-focused care model, emphasizing leadership and accountability challenges. The team highlights the crucial role of communication in engaging the public amidst reform. They also tackle the complex balance of resource allocation between acute and community healthcare, along with the ongoing financial pressures on NHS trusts.

Another damning coroner’s report has been published following the preventable death of baby Ida Lock at a Lancashire hospital, so this week we take a closer look at why the NHS is beset with so many maternity scandals. It has also been reported health secretary Wes Streeting is considering a public inquiry into maternity care, and we discuss why this might not bring about the fast change so badly needed. Also, we cover the ongoing chaos within the board of a world-leading specialist London trust.