Health and care sector latest developments
Health secretary urges ambulance chief executives to shave seconds off waiting times
The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has urged chief executives of ambulance trusts to shave a few seconds off response times in the next three weeks as they are said to be within reach of the government’s key recovery target for the sector.
Mr Streeting told ambulance trust leaders that just a few seconds’ improvement could mean the target for category 2 calls, which include suspected heart attacks and strokes, could be met for 2025/26 overall.
The year-to-date performance for category 2 calls was 30:32 at the end of January, just more than half a minute over the target. It is understood, however, that February’s figure, which is due out tomorrow, is better than expected and could be significantly lower.
National policymakers ‘working it out as they go along’, say local leaders
A report by the Health Foundation, based on interviews with integrated care board leaders throughout last year, has warned that staff are ‘on their knees’ and national policymakers are ‘making it up as they go along’.
Leaders are said to have been ‘scathing’ about the handling and management of the announcement of 50 per cent cuts to staffing budgets, labelling the cuts as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unprofessional’.
They also raised concerns about the next generation of managers being deterred from joining the NHS.
NHS England halts four-way group plan
NHS England has rejected four trusts’ proposals to strengthen their group and potentially merge, blaming a failure to show patient benefit as well as other serious concerns.
Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust (FT), Liverpool Women’s FT, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital FT submitted a draft business case in December which proposed a full merger among other options to more closely integrate providers in the city.
However, it is understood that NHS England has asked the trusts not to take the plans any further.
Select committee hears evidence on corridor care
The Health and Social Care Select Committee today held a one-off evidence session on corridor care.
The first panel saw representatives from the Health Services Safety Investigation Board (HSSIB), the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) give evidence.
Among those on the second panel were Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care) at Department of Health and Social Care, and representatives from NHS England.
Topics covered included staff morale, bed numbers and NHS England’s work with trusts facing corridor care challenges.
Lords investigate decline in childhood vaccinations
A Lords inquiry has launched a call for evidence to investigate why childhood vaccination rates in England have declined and why inequalities in uptake are growing.
The Childhood Vaccinations Committee is asking experts, organisations and the public to submit evidence by 22 April, examining barriers to vaccination and whether the government’s strategy is sufficient to reverse the trend.
Committee chair, Baroness Walmsley, warned that “falling vaccination rates are putting the nation’s health at risk”, adding that the inquiry aims to identify solutions and will report its recommendations to the government by November 2026.
Experts warn of ‘ineffective’ junk food ad ban
Experts have warned that the government's junk food advertising ban could prove ineffective.
Research by Nesta found that the prohibition on advertising food that are high in fat, salt or sungar food before 9.00pm would affect only 1 per cent of the amount spent annually on food and drink advertising.
Nesta also argues that delays and changes to the scope of the ban mean that it will be ‘mostly ineffective’, having far less impact than expected.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said that “up to 7.2 billion calories (are) set to be removed from UK children's diets each year as a result” of the ban.
Alternative to HRT for menopausal hot flushes now on NHS
A drug for treating hot flushes and night sweats during the menopause is now available on the NHS in England when HRT hormone replacement therapy (HRT) isn't suitable.
The non-hormonal treatment, called Veoza, is a daily pill which blocks nerve pathways in the brain that trigger the symptoms.
Around 500,000 women could benefit from the drug, particularly those who cannot use HRT because of underlying health conditions, whose options up until now have been limited.
Baroness Thornton appointed as SCIE’s chair-elect
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has appointed Baroness Glenys Thornton as chair-elect. She will work alongside current chair Paul Burstow during a transition period before taking over the role in June.
Mr Burstow welcomed the appointment, saying Baroness Thornton brings “deep experience, sound judgement and a strong commitment” and that the planned handover will ensure stability as the organisation continues supporting improvements across social care.
Baroness Thornton said the institute “plays a vital role” in improving care through collaboration and evidence-based work.
