The must-read stories and debate in health policy and leadership.

Inspectors have been critical of leaders of a newly formed trust after serving it with a warning to improve safety in its emergency departments.

The watchdogs said North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust’s leadership team were “inexperienced” and “did not always have the necessary skills and abilities to lead effectively”.

In a report published today, the Care Quality Commission also said there were “few examples of leaders making a demonstrable impact on the quality or sustainability of services”.

It served NCIC with a warning notice after finding “insufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled, competent and experienced clinical staff” in the EDs, whilst noting “significant delays” for patients.

NCIC, which formed in October last year, said it has already taken “swift action” following the inspection.

They think it’s all over (it’s not, yet)

Job security at the winding-down clinical commissioning groups is looking positive for all but the top roles now that NHS England has made a “continued employment promise” to staff. This came as it proposed legislation to scrap CCGs and have their functions “subsumed” by integrated care systems.

The paper outlining the legislative changes said NHSE will “not make significant changes to roles below the most senior leadership roles”. This employment promise is offered “up to March 2022 for all those who wish to play a part in the future”.

However, it said the most senior CCG leaders, such as chief officers and other governing body and board members, will be “more directly impacted”.

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