Health and care sector latest developments
Today's update contains information on the Lucy Letby trial
UK nursing regulator’s new chief resigns after four days following racism row
The UK nursing regulator’s new interim chief executive has stepped down just four days into the job after facing widespread staff backlash over her links to a high-profile race discrimination case.
Multiple staff working at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) raised concerns to its directors over the appointment of interim CEO Dawn Broderick, who was head of HR at another trust when it was found to have discriminated against a black employee.
The Independent has revealed that Ms Broderick resigned from the NMC on Monday evening.
COVID-19 summer surge
COVID-19 hospital admissions are rising in the UK, suggesting a summer infection wave. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports admission levels reaching those last seen at the end of winter. This surge is attributed to declining immunity and the emergence of a new Omicron sub-variant named ‘Flirt.’ While mass testing has ended, making it difficult to track infection levels accurately, the proportion of positive PCR tests has risen significantly since March.
Healthcare services are feeling the impact of this increase, with some hospitals reintroducing face mask rules. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust reported its highest number of COVID-positive patients since December 2023, noting that patients are requiring longer hospital stay. Experts expect the coronavirus continuing to evolve with winter waves likely to be more severe. However, they highlight that immunity still remains strong despite the current spike in infections.
Lucy Letby found guilty for attempted murder
Lucy Letby has been found guilty of trying to kill a baby girl, referred to in court as Baby K, on the hospital ward where she murdered seven other infants.
The former neonatal nurse was convicted last August, but a verdict on the allegation relating to Baby K could not be reached, and a retrial was ordered.
Letby is serving 14 whole-life prison terms and there are ongoing police investigations and a public inquiry into how she was allowed to remain on the neonatal unit despite the concerns of senior doctors.
Major hospital trust to share chair with neighbour
A major hospital trust will later this month become the latest to share a chair with a neighbouring provider.
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust will be headed by Northumbria FT’s current chair Sir Paul Ennals on a temporary basis, the trusts have confirmed.
Sir Paul will be confirmed as the joint chair of the two trusts at Newcastle FT’s annual general meeting on 17 July. His appointment will be as an interim until Newcastle FT and Northumbria FT recruit a permanent joint chair, expected to happen late this year.
The move comes after Sir Jim Mackey moved from Northumbria FT to take over as CEO at Newcastle FT at the start of the year. Sir Jim has continually advocated closer working between the two trusts, which had a combative relationship in the past.
Ministers sitting on 26 requests to intervene in service reconfigurations
The Department of Health and Social Care received 26 requests to intervene in NHS service changes in the first three months of the new reconfiguration regime, and has yet to make a decision on any of them, HSJ can reveal.
A Freedom of Information Act response revealed the 26 requests, and said they related to eight separate service reconfiguration proposals.
New ministerial powers to intervene in NHS reconfigurations — introduced in the Health and Care Act 2022 — came into force at the end of January. HSJ asked for details of requests received from then until the end of April.
It said the health and social care secretary had not intervened as a result of any of the 26 requests, but indicated she had yet to decide whether to do so.
The rule change not only lets the secretary of state ‘call in’ NHS service changes to review but also allows members of the public to request changes be considered for calling in.
