HSJ Health Check

With the focus fixed firmly on coronavirus, there are important and urgent issues in healthcare going under the radar. This week four of HSJ’s expert journalists share the vital developments they think are going unnoticed – from the financial situation in mental health trusts, to problems still being caused by tax changes on medical consultants’ pensions. With Dave West, Annabelle Collins, Rebecca Thomas and Matt Discombe.

This week our tech reporting team Jasmine Rapson and Nick Carding, along with Dave West and Annabelle Collins, discuss leaked NHSX emails that revealed concerns the Department of Health and Social Care’s tech division is damaging its reputation with “non-compliant” tech. We consider how the covid-19 pandemic has seen some hasty technology procurements, and whether the way patients access healthcare is changing for good. We also discuss how the pandemic has affected international recruitment & whether critical care capacity is still under strain.

This week HSJ Health Check digs into the latest NHS performance data, revealing how coronavirus affected normal services – taking the weight off emergency departments, but adding millions to the waiting list. We also discuss the need for scrutiny of how covid-19 is affecting people with mental health, learning disabilities and autism, the covid testing “black hole”, and why pressure is staying higher in the north of England. Featuring Dave West, Ben Clover, Annabelle Collins and Rebecca Thomas

On this week’s HSJ Health Check podcast we discuss where England’s covid-19 response on three key fronts. With the government poised to announce some relaxation of lockdown measures bureau chief Ben Clover and three HSJ colleagues look at the testing drive, the new contact tracing app and trends in mortality. After the government achieved its testing target by fiddling the rules, Nicholas Carding takes us through where the service stands on testing now and what to expect this month. As the Isle of Wight becomes the laboratory for testing the new contact tracing programme on mobile phones, which the government will soon be encouraging everyone to use, technology reporter Jasmine Rapson brings us up to date with the controversies and use of the app. Jack Serle has been tracking trends in mortality since the government started producing data on covid-19 deaths. On this podcast he discusses the trends and highlights the settings and regions that may not yet have peaked.

On this week’s HSJ Health Check podcast we discuss  warnings over a possible covid-linked condition in children, and Sir  Simon Steven’s new guidance on the next phase of the response for the  NHS. Children’s intensive care doctors have observed a small but  growing number of cases, and issued warnings to try to ensure cases are  not dismissed. Matt Hancock has ordered further investigation of the  issue and said he is “very worried”. We also discuss the latest  guidance from the NHS England chief executive on how the health service  will try to return more normal services in the next six weeks – yet  having to continue dealing with the outbreak; and how the protective  equipment shortage will limit what can be done. Featuring Annabelle Collins, Katherine Hignett, James Illman and Dave West.

For much of the country, coronavirus has peaked. It came quicker than expected, but the virus is not going away anytime soon – and NHS leaders will have to rebuild their services around it in a new reality. This week’s HSJ Health Check podcast considers the dilemmas of the next few weeks and months, such as how to resume elective care, use of the new Nightingale hospitals, and addressing the damage for those who have missed out on emergency care and support. Featuring Sharon Brennan, Nicholas Carding, Rebecca Thomas, and Dave West. Contact dave.west@wilmingtonhealthcare.comwith feedback.

This HSJ Health Check podcast special explores the legal rules and risks for the NHS as it tackles coronavirus. HSJ senior correspondent Sharon Brennan speaks to lawyers Francesca Burfield and Max Duddles — who work for legal training and information specialists Bond Solon —– about the major implications of the covid-19 response in the health and care system; and the government’s sweeping legal changes. They predict there will be widespread legal challenges to NHS providers and commissioners over their actions during the crisis, and recommend recording details of decisions which are taken.

Our newest episode covers the latest in the NHS’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, including spare beds, controversial death statistics, and what’s happening to ‘normal’ care.

Coronavirus continues to dominate the lives of healthcare leaders and policymakers, and this week’s HSJ Health Check examines the outlook for pressure on the NHS, the tech response, and the health toll of covid-19’s collateral damage. Deputy editor Dave West is joined by bureau chief James Illman and correspondents Jasmine Rapson and Jack Serle. Contact dave.west@wilmingtonhealthcare.comwith feedback or queries.

As dealing with coronavirus grips the NHS, we discuss three of the central challenges: kit – including PPE and ventilation equipment; staffing – including PPE and conflicting advice; and the impact on patients who do not have covid-19. With HSJ’s Annabelle Collins, Sharon Brennan, Dave West and Ben Clover. Warning: Please forgive some sound drop-outs due to technical problems with remote recording.