Read Jack Serle's latest HSJi Review, which discusses, as summer turns to autumn, our attention turns to the annual data release on the state of the NHS’s estates.  Read the full article here.

Latest Investigations

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust is currently facing significant challenges across all major areas of care and remains under close scrutiny from NHS England. In response to operational pressures, the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board is investing £3 million to help address ambulance handover delays. To strengthen its focus on cancer services, the Trust has reinstated a dedicated cancer board and plans to lift the cap on additional endoscopy sessions to improve diagnostic capacity. Financially, the Trust is required to deliver its most ambitious cost improvement plan to date, amid NHSE’s concerns about a lack of financial control. Despite these pressures, the Trust is taking a leading role in procuring the system’s integrated digital pathway and is moving forward with plans for a new £200 million Urgent and Emergency Care facility. Encouragingly, leadership and cultural issues within the organisation are showing signs of improvement.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust is forecasting a £22.6 million savings shortfall, prompting the need to reduce more than 450 whole-time equivalent roles as part of its financial recovery efforts. To help stabilise its position, a shared services plan is being developed, alongside the recent launch of an invitation to tender for a shared electronic patient record system. However, the Trust may face a period of up to two years without a fully functioning EPR. A major service reorganisation is also underway and is expected to conclude by 2026. Operationally, the Trust continues to experience high bed occupancy rates but is seeking to alleviate pressure by expanding its virtual wards programme. Additionally, there remains a pressing need to address disparities in the quality of services across the organisation to ensure consistent standards of care.

The NHS market for hospital electronic patient records in 2026

The conclusion of the Frontline Digitisation Programme means that trusts are now responsible for funding their own technology investments. While almost all acute trusts have implemented a modern electronic patient record system, many have yet to realise the full benefits of these platforms. As a result, the current focus across the sector has shifted toward maximising EPR utilisation and deriving greater value from existing systems. The government’s priority is to ensure interoperability between EPRs, the NHS App, and the emerging single patient record, which could in turn stimulate growth in the middleware market, providing solutions that connect local EPRs with national digital services. Notably, several Integrated Care Systems, and even one entire region, are progressing toward adopting a single shared EPR to improve integration and consistency across care settings.

Data points

The following data points were updated this week:

• Number of complaints upheld, % of complaints upheld, Number of complaints partially upheld and % of complaints partially upheld for Acute, community, MH, SP in 2024-25.
• Legal claims received for Acute in 2024-25.
• No. of concerns raised with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales for Wales in 2024-25.
• Medical agency staff spend and Nursing agency staff spend for Scotland in 2024-25.
• Leadership for ICS, Wales, Scotland in July.
• Name for Wales, Scotland in September.