PFI and the NHS
Since the introduction of the PFI, if part of the NHS needs capital investment a contract is drawn up between the Trust and a consortium of bankers, builders and service … Read more
BMI Healthcare agrees financial restructuring deal
Britain’s largest private healthcare group, BMI Healthcare, said on Monday it had agreed a deal with its creditors and landlords that would include recapitalising the business. Hospital Topco, the parent … Read more
Blood test recall for thousands of patients
Nearly 2,500 patients have been recalled for extra tests after problems with a merged pathology service between Medway Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham Trust. Issues included blood samples being delayed … Read more
Over 750 practices across UK could close as GPs leave profession, warns RCGP
Over 750 practices could close within the next five years because they are relying on GPs approaching retirement, the RCGP has warned. The college fears that this would have a … Read more
250 hospital staff walk out on strike over plans to transfer jobs to subsidiary company
Staff walked out this morning as part of the first 48-hour strike they have taken on this issue. Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, was meeting workers on the picket … Read more
Virgin Care set to lose children’s service contract to NHS consortium
Virgin Care is likely to lose a children’s contract worth hundreds of millions of pounds as commissioners are set to name an NHS consortium as preferred bidders. Northern, Eastern and … Read more
Hospital giant BMI Healthcare nears £2bn restructuring deal
BMI Healthcare, which operates 59 hospitals and clinics across the UK, is within days of announcing that it has reached agreement with its landlords and other creditors about a deal … Read more
Practice to cut staff after ‘unexplained’ reclaimed payments by Capita
A GP practice has been forced to cut back on staff after Capita reclaimed thousands of pounds without explanation or notice, it has claimed. The Court Street Medical Practice, based … Read more
NHS privatisation fears after figures show third of knee replacements done by private sector
Full story in The Independent, 21 September 2018 Almost one in three knee replacements and 20 per cent of hip replacements that are NHS funded are carried out by private healthcare … Read more
NHS trusts told to stop using subsidiary firms to save money
NHS hospital trusts have been told to stop setting up private companies and transferring staff into them, a move that has provoked strong criticism from health unions and Labour. NHS … Read more
Eight trusts tender £2bn pathology contract amid network shake-up
An NHS pathology contract worth more than £2bn has been put on the market with the aim of linking eight trusts’ laboratory services. Bidders will compete to provide the full … Read more
NHS bosses call “pause” on controversial “SubCo” NHS privatisations – for now
Full story on Open Democracy, 19 September 2018 NHS trusts in England are setting up wholly owned subsidiaries (WOSs) in a bid to avoid tax. And the dangers inherent in … Read more
CCGs asked to pump extra £2m into wheelchair contract
Clinical commissioning groups in Kent are being asked to find at least an extra £2m for a service which is leaving people waiting months for wheelchairs. Millbrook Healthcare has run … Read more
Amount of NHS land in England earmarked for sale soars, figures show
Full story in The Guardian, 10 September 2018 Ministers have been accused of “selling off the NHS family silver” after figures revealed that the amount of health service land being earmarked for … Read more
West Sussex care home closed after damning CQC inspections
A care home in West Sussex has been urgently shut down with residents told to leave immediately after a series of damning inspections by the Care Quality Commission. Horncastle House … Read more
CCG to tender billion pound community services contract
Full story in HSJ, 17 September 2018 A community services contract, worth £1.7bn, is set to be procured by commissioners in the South West of England Bristol, North Somerset and … Read more
Mental health patients sent 300 miles from home due to lack of beds
Full story in The Guardian, 17 September 2018 Patients with serious mental health problems are being sent more than 300 miles away from their home areas because of widespread bed … Read more
Plans to close three acute stroke units revealed
Full story in HSJ, 17 September 2018 Under the preferred option, set out by commissioners, Medway Foundation Trust will lose its stroke services with three HASUs at Darent Valley Hospital, in Dartford, … Read more
NHS mental health crisis worsens as 2,000 staff quit per month
Full story in The Guardian, 15 September 2018 Thousands of nurses, therapists and psychiatrists are quitting NHS mental health services, raising serious doubts about ministerial pledges to dramatically expand the workforce. Two … Read more
Tory cuts leave alcohol addiction services at breaking point
Data reported by the Labour Party shows that cuts to council budgets for addiction services have led to lowest number of people receiving treatment for alcohol dependency in a decade … Read more
