The year of the pig

In many areas the NHS is still in the foothills when it comes to using artificial intelligence, with most of the innovation found in diagnostics and speech dictation.Trusts and tech companies talk of untapped opportunity, so we discuss some of the barriers, from poor clarity over how products are approved, to a lack of money and time to make the investment.Also this week, why KPMG has been awarded millions to help the last hospitals launch their first electronic patient record.

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.

The first in an occasional series of HSJ Health Check podcasts tracking the development of the government’s planned Health Bill, which is due to bring about the biggest change in the central running of the NHS for more than a decade.The government’s plans raise huge questions about how the NHS will be run in coming years. The series will explore what ministers and officials have in store as their vision 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 Bill Morgan, who as a seasoned political adviser in 10 Downing Street and the Department of Health has a hand in the several major pieces of health legislation, and Sharon Brennan, who as director of policy at National Voices has already given evidence to MPs on the latest plans.

HSJ revealed last week at least £150m has been wasted planning for "new hospitals" that might never materialise.We explore where else trusts can turn, with major state-funded rebuilds now off the agenda for many areas.That could mean reviving private financing, a new drive on patch-up maintenance efforts, and a much greater reliance on community services and tech.Also this week, Samantha Jones’ likely appointment as new permanent secretary of the DHSC, and another significant senior appointment to NHSE.Correction: £1bn - not £100m - is allocated to building safety works and reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete this year, although the point that more is needed still stands.

This week the team look at the continuing fallout from the ICB cuts and pending abolition of NHS England, following the first interview with new boss Sir Jim Mackey. Bureau chief Ben Clover stands in for Annabelle Collins as host and is joined by Dave West and Mimi Launder

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.

As the dust begins to settle, we unpick one of the busiest weeks ever for NHS news. We talk more about what the abolition of NHS England means for integrated care boards, Jim Mackey’s top team and their reset plans, and NHSE’s u-turn on imposing a new cap on elective spending.

The annual NHS Staff Survey results have been released, so this week we take a closer look at this year’s trends.Among the findings is a worrying rise in the proportion of staff experiencing violence and discrimination from patients and the public.HSJ’s Annabelle Collins and Nick Kituno are joined by Picker Institute CEO Chris Graham.

This week we discuss why private providers are threatening to refuse to treat NHS patients, and why hospital bosses are equally vexed.We also cover how the outdated NHS IT estate has become a national security issue and what needs to be done to stop future data breaches and cyber attacks.

Amanda Pritchard is stepping down as NHS England’s CEO at the end of next month, while Wes Streeting embarks on a massive reorganisation of the centre.This week we cover the reaction to this news, what’s lies in store for NHSE and who will be steering it through this significant change.Also - an update on some top appointments at the Care Quality Commission.