‘Second-class’ NHS workers struggle as pay gap widens
Tens of thousands of NHS workers are struggling to get by on the minimum wage because their private sector employers are failing to match public sector pay rises. The estimated … Read more
The tide is turning against public service privatisation – Richard Vize
The rebellion against privatisation is growing, with the tide moving towards greater public control of key services. The pushback can be seen everywhere. In an excoriating assessment of a flagship … Read more
GPs fear patient exodus to Babylon as CCG confirms cuts to extended hours funding
The BMJ reports that Hammersmith and Fulham CCG, which hosts the GP at Hand digital GP service, is cutting the funding for extended hours appointments available to patients at other … Read more
U-turn over plans to privatise cancer scanning services
NHS bosses have made a significant U-turn over plans to privatise cancer scanning services after outcry from MPs, doctors and patients. The rethink means the two scanners used for the … Read more
NHS removes cervical screening contract from Capita
NHS chiefs are bringing the cervical screening service back in-house after expressing dissatisfaction at the way it has been performing. The chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, told the … Read more
CQC – Signs of improvement but concerns remain about the safety and quality of independent ambulance services
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling on independent ambulance services, commissioners and the wider system to do more to make sure patients are safe, following concerns identified during its … Read more
Alarm raised over CQC failure to inspect Babylon’s GP at Hand
GP Online reports that Babylon Health’s GP at Hand service has never been inspected by the CQC despite signing up more than 45,000 NHS patients and preparing to expand to … Read more
MPs tell NHS England to stop the privatisation of cancer screening or risk patient harm
The Guardian reports that government and opposition MPs are asking NHS England to halt the privatisation of cancer screening services in the Oxfordshire area, which doctors are warning will damage … Read more
Advertising campaign sees GP at Hand patient list increase by 3,200 in a month
The last month has seen patient numbers at the digital-first Babylon GP at Hand practice surge, according to local CCG board papers seen by Pulse, following a London-wide advertising campaign … Read more
400 care home operators collapse in five years as cuts bite
More than 100 care home operators collapsed in 2018, taking the total over five years to more than 400 and sparking warnings that patients in homes that close down could … Read more
Trust eyes new private finance model to build hospital
An acute trust is hoping to be among the first organisations to use a new form of private financing to help fund a replacement hospital. Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust is … Read more
Trio of private providers fight for £2.2bn London contract
Three bidders have been shortlisted for one of the biggest NHS pathology contracts, HSJ can reveal. Last September, the South East London pathology programme board launched a procurement for a new provider … Read more
Uproar over ‘secret’ privatisation of Oxfordshire’s major cancer service
PET-CT scanners, which helps diagnose and monitor tumours throughout treatment, are set to be taken over by a company called InHealth, leaving leaders of Oxford’s world class cancer teams aghast. … Read more
Watchdog warns – PFI contracts a ‘systemic’ barrier to safety improvement
The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch has warned, in a report published today, that private finance initiative contracts and cost pressures could present a “systemic barrier” for trusts responding to patient … Read more
Scrap Laws Driving Privatisation of Health Service, say NHS Bosses
NHS England calls for end to rules under which firms have won £10.5bn of contracts NHS bosses have urged ministers to scrap controversial legislation that has led to the widespread … Read more
The NHS App is unable to connect to any online GP suppliers
According to HSJ, the NHS App which was designed to be a digital “front door” for all NHS patients is actually unable to connect with any current providers of online … Read more
Capita implicated amid delays moving patient records
Medical record transfers from English GPs to Scotland are experiencing prolonged delays, HSJ has learned, with Capita’s troubled English GP admin service implicated by officials. HSJ has obtained a letter from an NHS … Read more
The Priory faces multimillion-pound fine after death of girl in its care
The Priory, the private mental healthcare group, faces a multimillion-pound fine for breaching health and safety laws after a 14-year-old girl with a history of suicide attempts died in its … Read more
‘Inadequate’ High Wycombe hospital to be closed by The Priory
The Priory Group’s hospital in High Wycombe, which caters for children aged 13 to 17 with learning disabilities and/or autism, is to be closed after the health and care regulator … Read more
St Andrew’s Healthcare’s hospital put in special measures
A major provider of inpatient learning disability and mental health services has had one of its hospitals placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission, which raised concerns staff … Read more
