‘Aggressive marketing’ fuels surge in patients seeking private referrals from GPs
Growing numbers of patients are requesting NHS-funded referrals to private providers “operating outside of agreed guidelines”, fuelled by long waiting lists and “aggressive direct marketing tactics”, GPs have warned.
CEO appointed to run three trusts
Three hospital trusts in the South West have appointed a joint chief executive as part of a move to a “group model”.
Private provider takes over NHS services worth £1.3bn
A private firm has been awarded a contract worth around £1.3bn to lead community health services for an entire integrated care system for up to nine years.
Three ICSs responsible for a quarter of very long diagnostic waits
Just three integrated care systems were responsible for nearly one in four 13-week waits for key diagnostic tests in recent months, HSJ analysis of official data has found.
Former executive returns to chair same trust
A mental health trust has hired a new chair, who previously worked as its deputy chief executive and interim CEO.
Nineteen hospitals targeted for ‘urgent support’ before winter
NHS England has revealed the hospitals it is targeting for “urgent support” to avoid deterioration in emergency care performance ahead of winter.
Revealed: Three-fold variation in emergency response time by ICS
A threefold variation in ambulance response for serious, urgent conditions has been revealed in new figures.
Eleven ICSs warned of ‘significant concern’ about overspending
Around three quarters of England’s 42 integrated care systems have been unable to set balanced budgets for 2024-25, NHS England has revealed.
Three trusts to share CEO and chair
Three trusts in the South West have announced plans to appoint a joint chair and chief executive, and form a new “group model”.
Threefold ICS variation in GP phone access revealed
Patients trying to reach their GP are almost three times as likely to fail to get through in the worst-performing integrated care systems than the best, according to analysis of new annual figures.
Regional ‘medical rate card’ plan revealed
NHS organisations across the South West are planning a “regional medical rate card” in a bid to reduce pay for additional work.
Shared EPR plan for three trusts gets go-ahead
An integrated care system in the South West has had plans to install a shared electronic patient record system across its three acute trusts approved by NHS England.
Exclusive: social care waiting times revealed for first time in a decade
Older people are routinely enduring hidden waits of several months to get essential care and support, according to new figures obtained from government.
Revealed: The ICBs most reliant on private hospitals
Up to 20 per cent of NHS elective patients are now being treated by private hospitals in some areas, analysis by HSJ suggests.
NHSE acts as performance deteriorates in five systems
Five integrated care systems face escalations in central scrutiny and support following “deterioration” against key urgent and emergency care targets.
Nearly a third of ICSs admit finance plans will be missed
At least 13 integrated care systems have now admitted they will miss the financial plans they signed up for at the start of the year.
ICB tenders £1.8bn contract to shake-up community services
An integrated care board is advertising a contract worth around £1.8bn in what will represent a major shake-up of community health services, and the biggest such deal from an ICB so far.
West Country Chronicle: ICBs learn different lessons from procurement debacle
From Cornwall to the Cotswolds, West Country Chronicle offers essential insight into NHS matters in the South West. Contact me in confidence here.
West Country Chronicle: Trust’s concern over ‘short-term’ funding agreements
From Cornwall to the Cotswolds, West Country Chronicle offers essential insight into NHS matters in the South West. Contact me in confidence here.
ICBs must pay £1.7m for competition failure
Three integrated care boards have had to pay £1.7m to a technology firm, after commissioners manipulated a procurement, new figures reveal.