Decisions that must be made this autumn

This week we bring you the health highlights from the Labour Party Conference, including an ex-minister who said he would sack half of the NHS managers he has met “in a heartbeat” for not being good enough.We also discuss a worrying story about a trust at the heart of a major maternity inquiry, after a review found multiple recent stillbirths may have been avoided with better care. And on the theme of public inquiries, we cover some interesting comments made by Tom Kark KC, when speaking at HSJ’s Patient Safety Congress, who admitted they are often hugely expensive and time-consuming.

This week we talk about why an integrated care board in the north west is risking the wrath of GPs after consolidating its digital offering, in a move that has also raised concerns about its procurement practices.Also on this episode, the NHS has more than £1.6bn earmarked to get more out of digital systems - but trusts say the programme isn’t delivering.With just a week to hit some significant deadlines, we discuss why the Frontline Productivity Programme is being described by tech leaders as a “shambles”, with the centre being blamed, and what its future could look like.

This week we discuss the final outcome of the Thirlwall Inquiry, which examined the failings surrounding the murder and attempted murder of babies by Lucy Letby.  We cover its fierce criticism of managers, the ways in which it fell short and the response.  Also this week we ask - is this the end of the NHS group? This follows news of the high profile collapse of the Humber Health Partnership last week. 

On this episode the tech bureau join Annabelle to discuss the final report from the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare - a review that had promised to deliver a “new regulatory rulebook”. We cover the key recommendations, including a tougher role for the medicines watchdog, and the big questions that remain. Full story on the review here:https://www.hsj.co.uk/technology-and-innovation/fine-ai-firms-that-harm-patients-demands-tech-commission/8124267.article

NHS is slipping down the government’s list of priorities.We cover the questions that ministers cannot avoid – such as how to tackle funding social care and how far to push the NHS on devolution – as well as the things they should really be decisive about… but probably won’t. 

In a significant intervention this week the national safety watchdog has effectively called for a pause in the rollout of NHS England’s “advice and guidance” policy after linking it to two patient deaths. On this episode we cover what prompted this review, why NHS England has been pushing the use of A&G for the last few years and what it’s future could look like.

On this episode we cover two interesting tech stories. Firstly, new estimates have suggested the federated data platform could have a benefit value of £1.7bn less than a figure given by NHS England a year ago.We talk more about this latest FDP story and what it could mean for the extension of the controversial Palantir contract next year.Also, the national safety watchdog announced last week it has launched in investigation into AI use within the NHS. We ask what prompted this and what it will explore.We also talk more about the news a North Devon maternity unit is closing due to a lack of doctors, and how trusts and the government are approaching this national problem.

“I had no idea this happened. Were we informed? I am very concerned about duty of candour here… Why weren’t the victims informed immediately?”This was NHS England’s response after learning of the records breach at University Hospitals of Liverpool Foundation Trust, revealed in emails obtained by HSJ this week.On this episode we talk more about what happened next, including the independent investigation ordered and Sir Jim Mackey’s warning to trusts. Also this week we discuss a story that speaks to the ongoing concerns about culture within ambulances trusts.

This week we’re talking about the latest on neighbourhood health, and what Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s push for social care reform means for the NHS. As ministers launch a major review of adult social care, we ask whether the shift could boost the neighbourhood health agenda, or set it back. Will it reshape NHS and council funding, and could it deliver the NHS savings Mr Burnham says must be considered before any tax rises?We also talk more about neighbourhood health contracts and their slow progress since they were announced in last year’s 10 year plan for health, and why some in primary care are calling for an even longer pause.

This week we discuss why a £300,000 exit payment to a former ICB CEO has proved so controversial, and how NHS England has tried to justify the move.We also look at what the row reveals about the wider pressure ICBs are under, as they face deep cuts and continued uncertainty over their future role.This includes the questionable use of public money in wider ICB restructures, which are in many cases forced to pay for redundancies they may one day regret.And with devolution to mayoral strategic authorities, how do ICBs and ‘places’ fit into the new world?