Read Jack Serle's latest HSJi Review, which reports on how the emergency care performance in England had been on the decline for several years before covid hit.

It is now approaching the point where observers of the NHS are almost becoming blind to the thundering inadequacy in this area of care, creating the danger of normalising what is a very grim situation. Read the full article here.

Latest investigations

North and South Tees Hospital Group

North Tess Hospitals Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals FT formed a new group led by Stacey Hunter. The joint leadership aims to streamline decision-making and clinical strategy. Despite initial resistance, they plan to merge operations and develop a recruitment strategy. The capital investment focuses on phased rebuilding and shared diagnostic services. Cost-saving measures target reducing agency staff and improving efficiency. Both trusts excel in elective care but face challenges in cancer and emergency services. Strategies include outsourcing and outpatient alternatives to manage demand and improve patient flow.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust

Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust boosted elective care by optimising theatre use and expanding outpatient capacity. Their accredited surgical hub enhances access to funding. Integration of waiting lists with patient records aids risk assessment and streamlines pre-op processes. Efforts to reduce outpatient neglect include removing ghost patients and scheduling overdue appointments. Despite financial challenges and staffing issues, the trust focuses on revenue generation, staff recruitment, and retention. However, infrastructure funding requests were denied, leaving urgent maintenance unaddressed.

Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust

Interim CEO Caroline Donovan aims to rescue Norfolk and Suffolk FT from special measures. Facing enduring safety concerns and a history of leadership turnover, Donovan focuses on building a strong executive team and crafting a sustainable improvement plan. Despite scepticism, optimism arises with Donovan's initiatives, including appointing a new chief transformation officer. The Trust grapples with multiple challenges, from high out-of-area placements to long waits for mental health crisis services. Addressing an audit revealing thousands of unexpected deaths, the Trust plans a new data system. Additionally, it collaborates with Integrated Care Systems to enhance services and renovates Hellesdon Hospital into the River Centre, albeit with cost overruns

Data

Last week the following data points were updated:

• Board papers of Acute, Sp, Com, MH, Amb in April 2024
• Leadership of ICS in March 2024
• Locations, NHS members(Summary info under map), Board papers link, Website Link of ICS in Q4 2023-24
• About the board of ICS in Q1 2024-25
• Out-of-area placements of MH in Q4 2023-24