Health and care sector latest developments

Smyth announces NHS pension scheme updates

The government has announced a revised timeline for delivering remediable service statements to NHS Pension Scheme members affected by the McCloud and Sargeant case, which identified unlawful age discrimination in public service pension schemes. 

Under the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022, affected members must be provided with statements outlining their choice between legacy or reformed scheme benefits for the period of discrimination.

Responding to an urgent question on NHS pensions, secondary care minister Karin Smyth acknowledged delays in issuing these statements due to technical complexities but stressed the importance of accuracy and informed decision-making. 

The revised delivery plan prioritises members who are most likely to face financial detriment, with completion expected by July 2025 for some cases and later for others. Ms Smyth assured that no member will face a financial disadvantage due to these delays, and that the government are committed to holding the NHS Business Services Authority accountable for meeting extended deadlines.

Speaking at the Council of Deans of Health Spring Conference today, Ms Smyth also outlined future plans for the NHS workforce, indicating a refreshed ten-year workforce plan will be published to ensure sustainability. 

NHS chief executive plans major shake-up of integrated care boards

A major overhaul of integrated care boards (ICBs) is on the horizon, according to NHS England's new transition chief executive, Sir Jim Mackey.

In his first interview, he revealed to HSJ a “big consolidation” of ICBs is already underway, triggered by government-mandated 50 per cent running cost cuts. While regional structures will remain, many smaller ICBs are exploring mergers.
 
Mackey backed accountable care organisations but noted only a handful of trusts are ready for such responsibility. He warned against creating overly large groups that ignore local needs and promised to “stick up for the NHS” amid ministerial concerns.

While Mackey noted that the future will see more neighbourhood-level care, fewer ICB duties and a leaner oversight model, he stressed that the focus must remain on delivering care tailored to each community’s specific needs.

Labour’s ‘punitive’ disability benefits cuts won’t work, says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has called for an end to the “punitive” approach to benefit cuts, which he believes is designed to “please certain newspapers” rather than get people back into jobs.

The mayor of Greater Manchester gave evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee on Tuesday. The committee is visiting his region to inquire into plans to reform job centres.

His intervention comes amid increasing discomfort among Labour figures over the government’s decision to impose £5 billion in benefits cuts.

It adds further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer and his work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the controversial decision.

His criticism adds to a growing Labour civil war over the issue and is likely to galvanise those MPs against the cuts – and possibly embolden more to come forward and publicly voice their opposition to them.

Mr Burnham, believes his city-region is offering a more successful alternative to the “top down” approach driven by Whitehall with what he called a “place-based model” based on understanding local needs.

He was asked about a programme in Greater Manchester called ‘Live Well’ which aims to tackle inequality and help people back into work.

Live Well ‘centres’ and ‘spaces’ bring together NHS primary care facilities with the skills and employment support currently delivered through Job Centre Plus.

A pilot scheme from the initiative has helped around 27,500 people into new jobs and helped another 76,500 to access training opportunities and support to prepare them for employment, the mayor’s office said.

Asked about what the government could learn from Greater Manchester’s success, Mr Burnham said: “You can’t order people’s recovery from the top down, you can’t batter them with sanctions towards work.

“It’s unsurprising why we’re having an inquiry because it doesn’t particularly work…”

UK braces for Trump’s tariffs as trade deal hopes fade

Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of securing a UK exemption from Donald Trump’s global tariffs are fading, despite “constructive” talks. According to the Financial Times, Britain now expects to be hit alongside other nations when the US announces new import duties on Wednesday, dubbed “liberation day” by Trump.

​Trump's proposed tariffs, potentially as high as 25 per cent, on imported pharmaceuticals are poised to significantly impact the UK's pharmaceutical sector.

The US is a primary market for British pharmaceutical exports, and such tariffs could increase drug prices, disrupt supply chains, and reduce competitiveness of UK products in the US market.

The government is actively engaging in negotiations to mitigate these effects, emphasising the importance of continued dialogue to prevent a broader trade conflict.

Lawren Tallon starts role as chief executive of MHRA 

Lawrence Tallon has officially begun his role as chief executive of the MHRA today, bringing experience from his previous position as deputy chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

Tallon has outlined his key priorities as patient safety, improving access to new medicines through proportionate regulation, driving innovation and growth, and building partnerships both domestically and internationally.

Radiographers to lead AI revolution in healthcare, SoR says 

The Society of Radiographers has launched a three-year strategic framework pledging to lead healthcare's AI transformation, with chief executive Richard Evans stating that AI can already enhance X-ray information extraction, reduce examination needs and enable earlier diagnosis.

Despite AI's potential to increase diagnostic efficiency, Evans stressed that "technology alone is not going to bring down NHS waiting lists", noting that appropriately trained radiographers remain essential for all imaging.

New blood test could help diagnose and track Alzheimer’s progression

A new blood test has been developed to detect Alzheimer’s and assess its progression, helping doctors choose suitable treatments.

The Guardian reports the test measures a tau protein fragment, eMTBR-tau243, which correlates with brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s but not in other conditions.

While promising, it requires specialist lab equipment and isn’t yet widely available. A separate study found protein ratios in brain fluid could better predict cognitive decline, offering further hope for early, personalised intervention.