Health and care sector latest developments
Streeting makes new offer to resident doctors in bid to avert strikes
The health secretary has made a new offer to resident doctors, in an attempt to avert strikes set to begin next week.
Addressing the House of Commons yesterday evening, Wes Streeting explained that, while he could not offer any further boosts to pay, he could do more on jobs.
He explained that 4,000 specialty places would be offered to resident doctors, starting with an additional 1,000 for those applying this year.
He also pledged to introduce new legislation in the new year, prioritising graduates from UK medical schools over overseas applicants.
Finally, he announced a variety of measures to help resident doctors with the costs they face, such as through the reimbursement of exam fees.
Streeting explained that the BMA will now survey members on the offer, with the union set to give the government less than 48 hours' notice if the strikes will go ahead.
The Prime Minister has also weighed in on the debate over forthcoming resident doctor strikes, urging doctors to accept the health secretary’s new offer.
As Sky News reports, Sir Keir Starmer accused the BMA of ‘being irresponsible’, arguing that the government has been listening to the issues they are concerned about, and has ‘put an offer on the table to deal with those issues.’
Meanwhile, Dr Shivam Sharma, Deputy Chair of the BMA’s Resident Doctors Committee, told Times Radio he finds ‘it difficult to see members accepting this offer’, since it only ‘moves some way on jobs, but doesn’t move at all on pay’.
NHS trust performance league tables process and results publishes
NHS England today updated the league tables – launched in September – to reflect quarter two (July-September) of this financial year.
Nearly 20 per cent (38 trusts) of the total 205 providers changed segments (see table below) from the first quarter.
Six of these were the result of the ‘financial override’ – which means any trusts in segment 1 or 2 are downgraded to 3 if they are in deficit. Four trusts were removed from the override due to their finances improving, and two had it newly applied.
Responding to publication of the latest NHS trust performance league tables, Matthew Taylor said:
“Health leaders recognise the need for the public to have transparency in how their health services are performing, which these rankings have the potential to provide. However, if detached from the context they have been issued, league tables risk presenting a partial view of performance – and at worst, a misleading one.
“It is essential the metrics in the NHS Oversight Framework, which underpin league tables, are carefully chosen to provide a rounded and accurate picture of performance. Thankfully, the government has already recognised this and has taken a collaborative approach to addressing the initial challenges that NHS leaders have experienced.
“We look forward to seeing improvements to the league tables when the Oversight Framework is updated early next year. We hope these changes will also mark a shift away from the framework’s current emphasis on organisational activity, accountability and competition.
“To deliver the ambitions set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for more joined-up patient care delivered closer to home, accountability must incentivise greater collaboration and integration, not undermine it.”
NHS monthly statistics publishes and NHS England warns about rising flu hospitalisations
The NHS have warned that flu hospitalisations have jumped sharply, rising more than 55 per cent in a week to their highest level for December, leaving the NHS in what leaders describe as a ‘worst case scenario’.
Combined with rising norovirus cases, record A&E attendances and soaring ambulance demand, hospitals are becoming overwhelmed just as resident doctors prepare for a five-day strike.
Although over 17 million people have already received flu jabs, NHS leaders stress that the ‘peak is not in sight’, while health secretary Wes Streeting says there is ‘a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals’ as well as calling on doctors to ‘vote for this deal’ and avoid Christmas strike disruption.
Rory Deighton responded to the monthly statistics stating :
“While overall virus levels in hospitals are down compared to last year, the ongoing surge in flu is deeply concerning as the NHS braces itself for another brutal winter… If next week’s resident doctor strikes go ahead, it will cause huge disruption for patients and staff, not just during the walkouts but for several weeks afterwards. We call on resident doctors to accept the government’s latest offer and end this long-running dispute without causing chaos ahead of Christmas.”
New partnership to explore the role of AI in mental health services
Rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have demonstrated the role that new technologies can play in reducing pressures on health services, both clinically and administratively, and increasing access to care for patients.
Given the pace of developments, there is a need to continue building our understanding of how AI can be deployed responsibly to achieve the biggest gains for patients and the workforce, whilst mitigating against potential risks.
The NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network has announced a new project, supported by Limbic, to explore how artificial intelligence can be safely and effectively adopted across mental health services.
The work will explore the potential of AI, considering the range of tools currently available, while balancing the need for careful and strategic implementation.
Maternity survey shows mixed performance across review trusts
The CQC’s latest maternity survey found that only two of the 12 trusts under the national review delivered care ‘worse than expected’, while others matched or exceeded expectations despite concerns raised in Baroness Amos’ initial report.
According to HSJ, although communication and mental health support saw improvements, gaps remain, with some women reporting poor information about inductions and instances of being sent home despite concerns about their baby’s wellbeing.
Several trusts rated poorly said they were already acting on feedback, while others noted recent improvements, highlighting the ongoing variation in maternity care quality across England.
