We discuss new targets, including a challenging elective care ambition, the high-profile commitments dropped, and news that trusts are to take on more responsibilities from ICBs next year.

A busy few days also saw the NHS’s mandate for 2025-26 from ministers published last week, so we discuss health and social care secretary Wes Streeting’s tough instructions to the NHS as well as his interview with HSJ.

Also, we cover the news of further job cuts at NHS England and how its leadership of the service has been changing.

With senior correspondent Annabelle Collins, bureau chief James Illman and deputy editor Dave West.

Send views and questions to annabelle.collins@hsj.co.uk.

You can listen to HSJ Health Check on this page, or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and all the other popular podcast platforms.

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