HSJ Health Check

NHS trusts are getting better – that’s the view of the Care Quality Commission, at least, which now rates only a single organisation as “inadequate”, and two-thirds as “good” or “outstanding”, a big shift from five years ago. But how does it square with the terrible state of elective and emergency care waiting times, along with pandemic pressures? We focus on three trusts very recently taken out of special measures and discuss why the CQC wants to see the best leaders taking jobs at the most challenging trusts. Also, this week we discuss the potential creation of £2bn group of Liverpool hospitals and the pros and cons this can bring for trusts and patients.

The man in charge of elective recovery in the NHS has said the health service faces more scrutiny from ministers, and from the public, than ever before. But is the NHS ready to respond? We discuss the in-depth interview given by Sir Jim Mackey, following the publication of the elective recovery plan. Also, following news that an NHS trust was forced to apologise to a patient after denying a sexual assault happened, we ask what is being done to support victims in the NHS.

After weeks of wrangling over the elective recovery plan a compromise has been reached and on this week’s episode we get stuck into the politics surrounding it and of course what is means for NHS leaders. Also the latest on integrated care systems - have they become more complicated than ever?

Two very different trusts are under the spotlight after concerns were raised by whistleblowers about poor culture and behaviour. We discuss the outcome of the separate external reviews, which looked into The Christie FT and Walsall Healthcare Trust and ask whether they might instigate positive change. Also, more on the mandatory staff vaccine U-turn and how some chief executives are relieved, while others fear for permanently damaged staff relationships.

Three national NHS England directors have announced their departures over the last few days, so on this week’s episode we discuss why this is significant and the impact it could have on future policy making. Also, cancer performance in England is said to be hitting “new lows” and we discuss which specialties are struggling the most and why hidden referrals could be even more of a worry over the coming months.

This week we discuss the politics around the elective recovery plan, following suggestions it could be announced imminently to distract from the goings on at Number 10. We also cover the prospect of ‘academy-style’ trusts and ask whether comments briefed to The Times signal genuine intention or just a spot of kite-flying. Plus an update on how staff mandatory vaccination is progressing, with just two weeks to go until the deadline. Featuring James Illman, Dave West and Annabelle Collins.

NHS trusts will soon be forced to redeploy or dismiss staff members who have not had their covid jab and this week we discuss what this could mean for the safe running of the health service. We focus on a London trust, which has warned its maternity service could be threatened by the dismissal of unvaccinated midwives. Also this week we discuss the latest NHS operational and performance data.

On this week’s HSJ podcast, we explain what the latest planning guidance from NHS England – published over Christmas – means for the service and its patients. The planning guidance sets out how the NHS’s money will be used and what the service will be asked to provide in 2022-23. HSJ’s Annabelle Collins, James Illman and Dave West translate the key themes on this week’s HSJ Health Check.

In the final episode of the year, we make our predictions for what 2022 could hold for the health service, including staff vaccination woes, spades in the ground for some ‘new hospitals’ and further delays for ICSs. Featuring Annabelle Collins, Nick Carding, Dave West and guest Rebecca Thomas from The Independent.

Record covid cases are being recorded and the NHS must decide how to prepare for another potential wave in late December or January. We discuss what chief execs are doing right now to keep services afloat and as many staff working as safely possible. Also notable points from recent government briefings and an update on the operational challenges facing the booster campaign.