HSJ Health Check

This week we bring you the health highlights from the Labour Party Conference, including an ex-minister who said he would sack half of the NHS managers he has met “in a heartbeat” for not being good enough.We also discuss a worrying story about a trust at the heart of a major maternity inquiry, after a review found multiple recent stillbirths may have been avoided with better care. And on the theme of public inquiries, we cover some interesting comments made by Tom Kark KC, when speaking at HSJ’s Patient Safety Congress, who admitted they are often hugely expensive and time-consuming.

This week we talk about why an integrated care board in the north west is risking the wrath of GPs after consolidating its digital offering, in a move that has also raised concerns about its procurement practices.Also on this episode, the NHS has more than £1.6bn earmarked to get more out of digital systems - but trusts say the programme isn’t delivering.With just a week to hit some significant deadlines, we discuss why the Frontline Productivity Programme is being described by tech leaders as a “shambles”, with the centre being blamed, and what its future could look like.

This week we discuss the final outcome of the Thirlwall Inquiry, which examined the failings surrounding the murder and attempted murder of babies by Lucy Letby.  We cover its fierce criticism of managers, the ways in which it fell short and the response.  Also this week we ask - is this the end of the NHS group? This follows news of the high profile collapse of the Humber Health Partnership last week. 

On this episode the tech bureau join Annabelle to discuss the final report from the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare - a review that had promised to deliver a “new regulatory rulebook”. We cover the key recommendations, including a tougher role for the medicines watchdog, and the big questions that remain. Full story on the review here:https://www.hsj.co.uk/technology-and-innovation/fine-ai-firms-that-harm-patients-demands-tech-commission/8124267.article

NHS is slipping down the government’s list of priorities.We cover the questions that ministers cannot avoid – such as how to tackle funding social care and how far to push the NHS on devolution – as well as the things they should really be decisive about… but probably won’t.