The NHS 10 Year Health Plan will only succeed if we invest in management. Here are 5 reasons why strong, skilled management is critical to better care. Full long read: https://bit.ly/437AuPW @profjudithsmith.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social

Good morning Newcastle

Delighted to author this new report from @hsmcentre.bsky.social and @thekingsfund.bsky.social along with @suziebailey.bsky.social and @chrisham.bsky.social NHS management matters so much and needs professionalising, support and investment, not denigration.

Tuesday in glorious Warwickshire

Way out west

DHSC has now published its proposals to regulate (or rather bar) #NHS managers. In this @bmj.com paper, @suziebailey.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social & I argue that regulation needs to be accompanied by wider changes to professionalise, train & support leaders: www.bmj.com/content/389/...

Potato harvest in Pembrokeshire today

Lessons from NHS reforms that this week's 10 year plan should incorporate www.nhsconfed.org/articles/wha...

Lessons from NHS reforms that this week's 10 year plan should incorporate www.nhsconfed.org/articles/wha...

Newly published @bmj.com paper from @suziebailey.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social & me, arguing that it’s time to regulate NHS management, but this will not suffice. Significant investment in training, development & support, & wider professionalisation, are needed. #healthpolicy #healthmanagement

regulation of NHS managers and why less central direction, a culture focused on patients and not bullying, and a commitment to increased professionalism enabled by training and a code of conduct are needed @profjudithsmith.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/389/...

Does this prefigure parts of the 10 year NHS plan? ippr-org.files.svdcdn.com/production/D...

its time to take prevention seriously and fully engage people in keeping healthy and using services wisely - this must be at the heart of the 10 year NHS plan. The road for increasing spending on a sickness service is running out

The NHS must reduce demand for healthcare with spending increases nearing their limits, writes @chrisham.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/389/...

Summer flowers Warwickshire

Wednesday bike ride in Warwickshire

In this fine city today to speak at conference on engaging patients in improving health and care and role of health coaches

Bob Dylan turns 84 today.

Cycling in Girona this week

In part but there’s a skill set and mind set that are also important. NHS leaders and ministers too often default to hierarchy and overlook relationships, trust and the ‘soft’ stuff

Another insightful blog, Chris. Thanks for your contribution to NHS Voices.

Bon Dia from northern Spain

My views on challenges for ICBs as commissioners

Life immitates

Who knows the name of the UK’s national bowel hospital? I’ve been working today with its staff and leaders. Feels like a well kept secret

Brilliant concert by Gregory Porter last night at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Great musicians in fab venue

Beautiful Easter weather in west Wales

Way out west

Important letter from Jim Mackey with update on improvement in NHS finances in 25/26 and intention to move to fair shares funding allocations www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/wo...

And more staff to deliver care

My views on abolition of NHS England. Is the NHS capable of being controlled by Ministers? And why political, managerial and clinical leadership are all needed www.bmj.com/content/388/...

Fed up with what’s going on in the world but still wanna change it? Come and work with us…

Following the recent announcement of changes to the top of NHS England, Nick Timmins and @chrisham.bsky.social take a look back at the chequered relationship between government and the health service. What will this new 'era' bring? buff.ly/43dyXZd

My views on NHS leadership in yesterday’s Times

"Amanda Pritchard's commitment to the service has been evident in everything she has done." Our chief executive @confedmatt.bsky.social responds to the announcement Amanda Pritchard is to resign at the end of March. www.nhsconfed.org/news/nhs-con...

Interesting snippet from Get In, the story of Labour under Starmer, on how the PM in opposition was impressed with Marmot’s work on health inequalities and wanted it to shape Labour’s programme @patrickmaguire.bsky.social @michaelmarmot.bsky.social

And valued and supported by clinical teams

For decades, the US government has painstakingly kept American science #1 globally—and every facet of American life has improved because of it. The internet? Flu shot? Ozempic? All grew out of federally-funded research. Now all that's being dismantled. 1/ www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1...

New OECD survey shows benefits for patients who are more confident in managing chronic conditions

Totally agree @chrisham.bsky.social. We are a long way from an ‘activated and engaged’ population but this must be a real focus in the long term plan.

the NHS 10 year health plan must create the conditions for a shift from providers to patients, people and communities www.bmj.com/content/388/...

where does responsibility lie for improving health? Interesting and surprising evidence in this new report www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...

Raiding capital budgets to cover revenue deficits is not helping NHS productivity NHS driving decline in public sector productivity www.thetimes.com/article/f6d1...

beg borrow or steal a copy of this from FT weekend on importance of trust and strong institutions to avoid chaos and decline The article is about US but has wide relevance www.ft.com/content/4e3f...

The ugly: efficiency savings this year will have adverse impact on patient care if budgets are to be balanced

Dorset coast