Health and care sector latest developments
More NHS cash "not feasible", adviser tells Labour
Labour's new health adviser, Paul Corrigan, has warned that injecting more money into the NHS is "not feasible" without first improving productivity.
Corrigan, who was a special adviser during the Blair era and has been critical of the NHS's current financial regime is now part of the department's efforts to shape the long-term plan.
He has suggested that GPs and hospitals should be incentivised to keep patients out of hospitals to reduce waste and enhance care.
Corrigan has also recommended that all Whitehall departments consider health impacts in their policies to prevent a surge of illnesses that could overwhelm the NHS. He proposes an "Office for Health Responsibility" to ensure policies from various sectors promote public health.
The appointment of Corrigan, who is a fierce critic of the inefficiency of a top-down NHS, has been taken as a sign of Streeting’s intent to make far-reaching changes to the health service.
Children in most-deprived areas ‘three times more likely’ to need teeth removed
A study has found that children in the most deprived areas are three times more likely to need rotten teeth removed in hospitals. Researchers at Queen Mary University, London, analysed records from 608,278 children and found significant socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in dental health and access to care.
The study highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to dental services and targeted interventions. Experts have called for government action to address these disparities and improve dental health care for children in poor communities.
In the run-up to the general election, Labour vowed to provide 700,000 additional dentistry appointments and introduce a supervised tooth-brushing scheme for three to five-year-olds. Following the party’s victory at the July 4 vote, health secretary Wes Streeting met with dentists to begin discussions about reforming the NHS dental contract.
Report shows rise in ‘long waiters’ for cancer care
A new report has revealed a significant increase in long waits for cancer care in England, with the percentage of patients waiting at least 104 days for treatment nearly tripling from 4.1 per cent in 2017/18 to 11.6 per cent in early 2022/23.
The delays are often caused by "healthcare provider-initiated delays," such as equipment breakdowns and capacity issues, which accounted for nearly half of the delays in the first three months of 2022/23.
Cancer Research UK has urged the government to provide more resources to the NHS to address these issues.
Councils warn hospital discharges limit home care in England
Council bosses have warned that vulnerable individuals might be denied essential preventive social care at home due to resources being redirected to handle rapid discharges from hospitals, aimed at clearing NHS backlogs.
Despite bipartisan support for more home-based early care, resources are being prioritised for people with complex needs, many of whom are discharged from hospitals early. According to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in England, this shift risks thousands of others missing out on care or experiencing worsening conditions.
Their survey revealed that only 10 per cent of social care directors are confident their budgets will meet statutory duties, a significant drop from pre-pandemic levels.
Three trusts to share chief executive 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'.
Great Western Hospitals FT, Royal United Hospitals Bath FT, and Salisbury FT will make the joint appointments by January next year, with a view to implementing the new model by April.
According to papers for a board meeting next week, the three trusts are not recommending a full merger or a change in legal structure as it would not “offer value for money”.
Instead, each trust will retain its own board and a deputy chief executive attached to it, reporting to the group chief executive. A joint committee will oversee the work of the three trusts.
Board papers state that the new leadership model will enable the system to be “proactive, not reactive”, and create opportunities to respond to the “unprecedented financial environment”.
The three trusts make up all the acutes in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care System (ICS). The ICS has agreed to a £35.7 million deficit plan for the 2024/25 financial year, with an elective activity target of 118 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Consultants sent in to tackle overspending at nine ICSs
NHS England has ordered nine integrated care systems (ICSs) to bring in management consultants to find ways to immediately bring down spending because of concerns over their finances, HSJ can reveal.
The external firms will be given a remit to identify interventions to “rapidly improve the in-year [2024/25] run rate”, according to documents seen by HSJ.
In May, NHS England overhauled the financial regime and introduced a new system of nationally set “control total” financial targets, backed by capital incentives and penalties, in a bid to bring down a forecast national gap of close to £3 billion.
Care sector demand multi-year funding settlements, greater investment and improved support for carers
“More of the same is not an option,” stated the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services spring survey 2024. The report highlighted challenges relating to one-year funding settlements, long waiting lists, and the increase in demand for complex care.
The NHS Confederation said: "This survey reflects what ICS leaders see in their local areas where the lack of social care provision, funding and workforce continues to put pressure on NHS services, and more importantly means many people are not receiving the best possible care in the most appropriate setting.
"The integrated working between the NHS, local authorities and beyond which ICS facilitate and drive is critical for meeting the health needs of the population. ICS have an important opportunity to ensure people can receive truly person-centred care in the coming years, and that’s why it’s critical the new government resists the urge to undertake top-down reorganisation of the health service. Instead, ICS, including social care providers, must be empowered with resource and political trust to move their work forward.
"There’s much to welcome in what the new government has set out in their intended plans for social care – given workforce shortages, the measures set out for a National Care Service are welcome, including on ensuring standards, which will help to improve care whilst providing a secure and rewarding career for people in our communities.
"We look forward to the publication of Skills for Care’s Social Care Workforce Plan and hope the government will give it thoughtful consideration. A plan for the social care workforce has been a key call of our members.
"ICS leaders work closely with Directors of Adult Social Care in local authorities across England and know how difficult their roles are, particularly over the last few years. They look forward to continuing to work with them and benefitting from their expertise, as we at the NHS Confederation will continue to work was ADASS to influence the new government to deliver the ambition they have set out for social care and beyond."
The report called for improved terms and conditions for care staff, more support for unpaid carers, and a focus on early support and prevention.
Junk food advertising ban may be delayed to 2025
Labour’s manifesto commitment to ban junk food advertising aimed at children may not be introduced until 2025.
The introduction of regulations in the Health and Care Act 2022 to restrict junk food advertising was delayed by the Conservative government until October 2025. Campaigners are concerned that the Labour government will not change this timescale.
Although the ban would not require primary legislation and will not be in the official list of bills unveiled tomorrow, there may still be a reference to the measure in the King’s Speech.
Sir Stephen Timms appointed DWP Minister for Social Security and Disabilities
The former chair of the Work and Pensions Committee and long-time minister under Blair and Brown has been given responsibility for the social security and disabilities brief within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Sir Stephen Timms has been an outspoken critic of carer’s allowance and in May called on ministers to “move without delay to get a grip of the problem and ensure carers are no longer subjected to the distress that such overpayments can cause.”
Carer’s UK welcomed the appointment, noting Sir Stephen’s understanding of the challenges relating to carer’s allowance.
