Prime minister Rishi Sunak launched a Cabinet reshuffle that brought a new team to the Department of Health and Social Care. New secretary of state Victoria Atkins indicated that she wants to settle the long-running strike action that has afflicted the NHS this year. The NHS Confederation pointed out that strikes were just one item in a difficult in-tray.
Ahead of the Autumn Statement in two weeks’ time, we have two background briefings on the long-term and short-term pressures that have led to the current NHS finance and productivity crisis and the implications for NHS IT. Productivity is set to be a key issue this winter, with consultants brought in to examine whether and why activity is not rising in line with funding and staff numbers.
