The chief executive of one of the largest NHS trusts in England says emergency care will be a key area of focus in the aftermath of the Francis report.

Interviewed following the latest HSJ Chief Executive Barometer - which revealed many chief executives were concerned about the rise of emergency activity in hospitals - Mark Newbold said that the main message he had taken away from Francis was “the need for a step change in the way we deliver emergency services.”

Mark Newbold talks about the biggest challenges for chief executives post-Francis report for Health Service Journal and Capsticks

According to Sharon Lamb, partner at healthcare law firm Capsticks, many chief executives have been seeking advice on how to assess their organisation against the recommendations made in the report. She argues that trusts should be identifying key themes and areas for change, just as Heart of England Foundation Trust has done with emergency services.

She also spoke of queries about the duty of candour and exactly what its introduction will mean. HSJ’s barometer revealed chief executives split almost exactly evenly over its benefits.

Sharon Lamb talks about issues after the Francis report for Health Service Journal and Capsticks

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