Health and care sector latest developments
Sir Ciarán Devane appointed as the inaugural chief executive of our new organisation
Following communications to staff and members this morning, the Health Service Journal has reported that Sir Ciarán Devane, chair of the Health Service Executive in Ireland, has been appointed as the inaugural chief executive of our new organisation, formed from the merger between NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation.
Hospital violated trans complaint nurses' dignity, tribunal rules
An employment tribunal has found that hospital bosses violated the dignity of a group of female nurses who complained about a transgender woman using their changing room.
Eight nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital claimed they had been ‘penalised’ by managers for objecting to Rose Henderson, a biological male who identifies as a woman, using the single-sex space.
They had argued that by allowing Rose Henderson to use the female changing rooms, the trust contravened provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust claimed the nurses had ‘demonised’ their colleague and the policy was in accordance with guidelines at the time.
In a partial victory for the nurses, the employment panel said the trust had created a ‘hostile environment’, but other elements of their claim were unfounded.
Hospitals with unsafe concrete expected to miss rebuild deadline
BBC News Online has reported that according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO), work to fix hospitals built using unsafe concrete will not be completed in time to meet the government's target.
Seven hospitals built using Raac, or reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, were prioritised for remedial work last year, with the government setting a deadline of 2030.
The new buildings are now expected to open in 2032 and 2033 - but some are already facing pressure to meet the revised timetable.
Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said in a statement:
“Health leaders will welcome the NAO’s findings that the reset of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) has put it on a firmer footing with a more realistic timetable. But they also share the concerns with how long it will take for some of these vital improvements – including the projects to replace reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) at seven hospitals – to be completed.”
Healthcare leaders welcome new national registry for AI note taking tools
NHS England (NHSE) has introduced a self-certified registry for ambient voice technologies, aiming to increase the use of AI notetaking in the health service.
The registry means suppliers need to comply with clinical safety, technology, and data protection standards.
Ambient voice technologies are seen as a key time-saving tool, freeing up time for clinicians to see more patients.
NHSE's national chief clinical information officer, Dr Alec Price-Forbes, highlighted the organisation's aim for the NHS to become ‘the most AI-enabled healthcare system in the world’.
Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said in a statement:
“Healthcare leaders will welcome the fact that a new self-certified registry for Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) has been set up and that they will have access to these AI tools which they can be sure comply with clinical safety and data standards.”
CEO forced out by chair wins £1.4 million settlement
A trust has agreed a £1.4 million settlement with its former chief executive, who was forced out of her role in a coordinated campaign by its then chair and other directors.
Susan Gilby was CEO of the Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust from 2018 until she was suspended and excluded from the premises in December 2022.
An employment tribunal judgment issued nearly a year ago concluded she was unfairly dismissed after she began raising concerns about chair Ian Haythornthwaite’s ‘confrontational and aggressive behaviour’. The tribunal found in favour of her claims of unfair dismissal and whistleblowing detriment, brought against the trust and Mr Haythornthwaite.
A follow-up tribunal hearing to determine how much compensation she must be paid has been delayed several times. But HSJ understands a settlement between the trust and Dr Gilby has now been reached.
