The Scalpel's Blog

Data sharing to improve care: the GP potential

18.05.18: As sharing data across organisations becomes the norm in the NHS, will general practice embrace its potential to improve the care we deliver to patients? Rebecca Fisher, a GP and policy fellow at the Health Foundation, investigates. “...

Nurses are great, aren’t they?

11.05.18: Sacha Rowlands, a former NHS nurse turned NHE journalist, invites everyone to celebrate the invaluable contribution nurses make to the health service as part of tomorrow’s International Nurses’ Day. Seriously, where would we be with...

The impact of NICE guidance on child birth

11.05.18: Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care for NICE, talks us through the impact of their work and guidance on pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of a child’s life. Having a baby can be one...

The NHS is at a crossroads, on a precarious path to a future yet unknown

11.05.18: Niall Dickson CBE, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, gives NHE readers an exclusive preview of what to expect at this year’s edition of Confed18 – where high-profile speakers and deep-dive workshops and seminars will ensure d...

Tackling pyjama paralysis to prevent infection

30.04.18: Pat Cattini, Vice-President of the Infection Prevention Society, discusses the importance and advantages of getting patients out of bed, dressed and moving about.  There are widespread benefits to getting patients dressed up and moving...

NHS leaders have a duty to unlock the potential of volunteers

26.04.18: Dr Stephen Dunn, chief executive of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, discusses the vital role volunteers have played in West Suffolk and how they are an untapped recourse of potential for the NHS. Volunteers play a valuable role in our co...

NHS long-term funding: what’s in store?

10.04.18: Anita Charlesworth, director of research and economics at the Health Foundation, discusses Theresa May’s recent announcements on long-term NHS funding and considers the options available. The prime minister’s appearance in front...

Tough task ahead for the NHS

04.04.18: Phillippa Hentsch, head of analysis at NHS Providers, paints a stark picture of NHS finances, workforce pressures and unsustainable targets for the coming year unless firmer action is taken by the government. We wanted it. We campaigned for...

International Women’s Day: time for change in gender pay

08.03.18: Dean Royles, director of human resources and organisational development at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, analyses the latest gender pay gap report released by trusts in Yorkshire. Today, 8 March, is International Women’s Day &nd...

Trusts recognise the value of the GIRFT programme – but it must remain ‘quality first’

09.02.18: Cassandra Cameron, policy advisor at NHS Providers, says trusts must be given constructive support – without fear of failure – in order for the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme to succeed. The NHS GIRFT programme ai...

The difference NICE is making for cancer patients

02.02.18: Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at NICE, on her organisation’s new cancer impact report released just a few days before World Cancer Day this weekend. In the run-up to World Cancer...

Uncharted territory – what could 2018 bring for STPs and accountable care?

31.01.18: NHS Providers head of strategy, Miriam Deakin, considers the five potential themes her organisation would like to see in the year ahead as a result of emerging accountable care models. As sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs...

Workforce strategy: facing the facts

26.01.18: Dean Royles, director of human resources and organisational development at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, lays bare the four truths the NHS needs to confront if it intends to develop a workforce that is truly fit for the future. Health...

Ten lessons to support new care models locally

29.11.17: Anna Starling, policy fellow at the Health Foundation, offers the top 10 lessons for local leaders seeking to make systematic improvements across services, all based on first-hand accounts from vanguard officials. Redesigning health and soc...

From a bright idea to a successful programme

27.11.17: Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, on the impressive benefits and extremely high success rates of a brand new programme designed to prepare NHS staff for the challenging and complex role of becoming a CEO. The task of leading a...