Dave West @ HSJ
@davewwest.bsky.social
Deputy Editor of Health Service Journal. News on the English health and care system, its policy, performance and leadership.
https://www.hsj.co.uk/dave-west/2231.contributor?page=1
https://www.hsj.co.uk/dave-west/2231.contributor?page=1
A (positive) pre-Christmas flu update, thanks to UKHSA for publishing a day early
RSV (mostly affects the very young and very old) at a fairly high rate & some signs it is still rising, though
RSV (mostly affects the very young and very old) at a fairly high rate & some signs it is still rising, though
December 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
A (positive) pre-Christmas flu update, thanks to UKHSA for publishing a day early
RSV (mostly affects the very young and very old) at a fairly high rate & some signs it is still rising, though
RSV (mostly affects the very young and very old) at a fairly high rate & some signs it is still rising, though
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Flu numbers barely changed since last week and still in the medium band. Of course it is still possible that it spikes higher over the Christmas period but that doesn't seem the most likely outcome. Admissions with flu are considerably lower than 2022/23 peak.
December 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Flu numbers barely changed since last week and still in the medium band. Of course it is still possible that it spikes higher over the Christmas period but that doesn't seem the most likely outcome. Admissions with flu are considerably lower than 2022/23 peak.
Some more assessment of this from over on LinkedIn
December 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Some more assessment of this from over on LinkedIn
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
On the latest episode of the HSJ Health Check Podcast:
Nuffield Trust policy experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sjanereed.bsky.social join Anabelle Collins and @davewwest.bsky.social to share lessons from their research about the abolition of NHS England.
🎧 Listen 👇
Nuffield Trust policy experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sjanereed.bsky.social join Anabelle Collins and @davewwest.bsky.social to share lessons from their research about the abolition of NHS England.
🎧 Listen 👇
HSJ Podcast: How to abolish NHS England
This week we bring you the latest in our series of HSJ Health Check podcasts tracking the development of the government's planned Health Bill.
www.hsj.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM
On the latest episode of the HSJ Health Check Podcast:
Nuffield Trust policy experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sjanereed.bsky.social join Anabelle Collins and @davewwest.bsky.social to share lessons from their research about the abolition of NHS England.
🎧 Listen 👇
Nuffield Trust policy experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sjanereed.bsky.social join Anabelle Collins and @davewwest.bsky.social to share lessons from their research about the abolition of NHS England.
🎧 Listen 👇
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth
Prevention shift ‘left behind’ as budgets are held flat
Public health allocations are due to be held flat in real terms for three years, despite the government's intended "shift from treatment to prevention".
www.hsj.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Indeed. What do you think @davidjbuck.bsky.social ?
Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth
Prevention shift ‘left behind’ as budgets are held flat
Public health allocations are due to be held flat in real terms for three years, despite the government's intended "shift from treatment to prevention".
www.hsj.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Indeed. What do you think @davidjbuck.bsky.social ?
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
"A challenge unlike any since the pandemic" - really?
Have we all forgotten about December 2022?
Ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies like heart attacks and strokes hit 92 minutes on average! The target is 18 mins.
Yesterday's data says 32 minutes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Have we all forgotten about December 2022?
Ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies like heart attacks and strokes hit 92 minutes on average! The target is 18 mins.
Yesterday's data says 32 minutes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 12, 2025 at 7:22 AM
"A challenge unlike any since the pandemic" - really?
Have we all forgotten about December 2022?
Ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies like heart attacks and strokes hit 92 minutes on average! The target is 18 mins.
Yesterday's data says 32 minutes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Have we all forgotten about December 2022?
Ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies like heart attacks and strokes hit 92 minutes on average! The target is 18 mins.
Yesterday's data says 32 minutes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
I've got to say, I'm not sure why this has become such a big media story. I might be wrong but my current view is that it's overblown. Flu arrived early, which is why it's breaking 'time of year' records, but it's only in the medium threshold and could peak lower than last year, let alone 2022-23.
December 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I've got to say, I'm not sure why this has become such a big media story. I might be wrong but my current view is that it's overblown. Flu arrived early, which is why it's breaking 'time of year' records, but it's only in the medium threshold and could peak lower than last year, let alone 2022-23.
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Finally, it's worth saying that actuaries typically use a different measure of life expectancy which is forward looking, but more subjective. This has NOT recovered from the pandemic - we remain more pessimistic about the outlook for future mortality rates than we were before.
December 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Finally, it's worth saying that actuaries typically use a different measure of life expectancy which is forward looking, but more subjective. This has NOT recovered from the pandemic - we remain more pessimistic about the outlook for future mortality rates than we were before.
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Drilling deeper there is lots going on below the headline statistics. Life expectancy in Scotland is 2 years lower than UK average. Across UK, life expectancy has improved for pensioners but has not recovered from the pandemic for younger people.
I'll save more detailed analysis for future posts.
I'll save more detailed analysis for future posts.
December 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Drilling deeper there is lots going on below the headline statistics. Life expectancy in Scotland is 2 years lower than UK average. Across UK, life expectancy has improved for pensioners but has not recovered from the pandemic for younger people.
I'll save more detailed analysis for future posts.
I'll save more detailed analysis for future posts.
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
ONS focus on 3-year periods, the latest ending 2022-24.
My chart instead looks at the individual years. This paints a different picture. The impact of the pandemic is sharper but so is the subsequent recovery. Life expectancy in 2024 had fully recovered back to the high point seen in 2019.
My chart instead looks at the individual years. This paints a different picture. The impact of the pandemic is sharper but so is the subsequent recovery. Life expectancy in 2024 had fully recovered back to the high point seen in 2019.
December 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
ONS focus on 3-year periods, the latest ending 2022-24.
My chart instead looks at the individual years. This paints a different picture. The impact of the pandemic is sharper but so is the subsequent recovery. Life expectancy in 2024 had fully recovered back to the high point seen in 2019.
My chart instead looks at the individual years. This paints a different picture. The impact of the pandemic is sharper but so is the subsequent recovery. Life expectancy in 2024 had fully recovered back to the high point seen in 2019.
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Life expectancy in the UK has recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Yesterday, ONS released the latest National Life Tables and analysis of life expectancy in the UK.
This is so called "period life expectancy", an objective but necessarily backwards-looking calculation.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Yesterday, ONS released the latest National Life Tables and analysis of life expectancy in the UK.
This is so called "period life expectancy", an objective but necessarily backwards-looking calculation.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
December 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Life expectancy in the UK has recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Yesterday, ONS released the latest National Life Tables and analysis of life expectancy in the UK.
This is so called "period life expectancy", an objective but necessarily backwards-looking calculation.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Yesterday, ONS released the latest National Life Tables and analysis of life expectancy in the UK.
This is so called "period life expectancy", an objective but necessarily backwards-looking calculation.
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Interesting. The VPAG repayment rate will go down to 14.5% in 2026, but not due to capping instead from "a slowdown in the growth of NHS use of newer medicines across 2025".
www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2...
www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2...
VPAG payment rate for newer medicines will be 14.5% in 2026
The government has announced that the 2026 payment rate for newer medicines under the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAG) will be 14.5 per cent, down from a record 22.5 pe...
www.abpi.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Interesting. The VPAG repayment rate will go down to 14.5% in 2026, but not due to capping instead from "a slowdown in the growth of NHS use of newer medicines across 2025".
www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2...
www.abpi.org.uk/media/news/2...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
This is a welcome & reflective intervention. 'Overdiagnosis' is a simplistic & stigmatising explanation for what, in reality, is a complex interplay of health, social & economic factors. The focus should be on getting people the right support at the right time www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I realise now that my view on mental health overdiagnosis was divisive. We all need better evidence | Wes Streeting
The surge in mental ill health is hugely distressing. That’s why I’ve commissioned a review to find out what’s driving it, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
This is a welcome & reflective intervention. 'Overdiagnosis' is a simplistic & stigmatising explanation for what, in reality, is a complex interplay of health, social & economic factors. The focus should be on getting people the right support at the right time www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
Now 15 years for migrant care workers to qualify. Do ministers have any understanding of the desperate state of the social care sector?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some migrants to face 20-year wait for settled status
Shabana Mahmood says becoming part of the UK is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Now 15 years for migrant care workers to qualify. Do ministers have any understanding of the desperate state of the social care sector?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
CEO leaves ICB after just five months, from @zoetidman.bsky.social
A sad development for Cathy who was a great chair in West Yorkshire
& something of a personification of the NHS's current dilemma: Deficit & waiting list recovery, versus reform and partnership
www.hsj.co.uk/cheshire-and...
A sad development for Cathy who was a great chair in West Yorkshire
& something of a personification of the NHS's current dilemma: Deficit & waiting list recovery, versus reform and partnership
www.hsj.co.uk/cheshire-and...
CEO leaves ICB after just five months
The chief executive of an integrated care board with major financial problems is set to leave after five months.
www.hsj.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
CEO leaves ICB after just five months, from @zoetidman.bsky.social
A sad development for Cathy who was a great chair in West Yorkshire
& something of a personification of the NHS's current dilemma: Deficit & waiting list recovery, versus reform and partnership
www.hsj.co.uk/cheshire-and...
A sad development for Cathy who was a great chair in West Yorkshire
& something of a personification of the NHS's current dilemma: Deficit & waiting list recovery, versus reform and partnership
www.hsj.co.uk/cheshire-and...
flu latest, from UK Health Security Agency
November 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM
flu latest, from UK Health Security Agency
The cycle of constant, repeated (affected?) shock and horror
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The cycle of constant, repeated (affected?) shock and horror
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
This is terrible
Vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer have plummeted in Britain
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer have plummeted in Britain
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer have plummeted in Britain
Blame declining confidence, a lack of convenience and rising complacency
www.economist.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:10 AM
This is terrible
Vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer have plummeted in Britain
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer have plummeted in Britain
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
NEW. PLEASE READ.
A landmark case which every NHS Board, nurse and midwife, and HR staff member should learn from. All credit to the Board for such an honest statement. And to Evonne Hunt, Chief Nurse
A landmark case which every NHS Board, nurse and midwife, and HR staff member should learn from. All credit to the Board for such an honest statement. And to Evonne Hunt, Chief Nurse
November 1, 2025 at 9:41 AM
NEW. PLEASE READ.
A landmark case which every NHS Board, nurse and midwife, and HR staff member should learn from. All credit to the Board for such an honest statement. And to Evonne Hunt, Chief Nurse
A landmark case which every NHS Board, nurse and midwife, and HR staff member should learn from. All credit to the Board for such an honest statement. And to Evonne Hunt, Chief Nurse
Congrats to Sally Warren - now made official as DG adult social care
October 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Congrats to Sally Warren - now made official as DG adult social care
Excl - the Chancellor, along with communities and transport secs, have appointed the first “envoy for the Northern Growth Corridor” to “develop a plan to support growth across the north”.
www.hsj.co.uk/integrated-c...
www.hsj.co.uk/integrated-c...
Exclusive: Director quits DHSC for senior regional role
The second permanent secretary of the Department of Health and Social Care, Tom Riordan, is leaving after only a year in the post for a newly created cross-government role.
www.hsj.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Excl - the Chancellor, along with communities and transport secs, have appointed the first “envoy for the Northern Growth Corridor” to “develop a plan to support growth across the north”.
www.hsj.co.uk/integrated-c...
www.hsj.co.uk/integrated-c...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
❗ Big policy news - the schools white paper will not be published this Autumn as promised
Instead ministers want more time to consult on their SEND reforms, and are now promising it will come 'early in the new year'
Probably the right call, but still frustrating
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Instead ministers want more time to consult on their SEND reforms, and are now promising it will come 'early in the new year'
Probably the right call, but still frustrating
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Schools white paper delayed until next year
Autumn deadline will be missed as ministers take more time to consider controversial SEND reforms
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
❗ Big policy news - the schools white paper will not be published this Autumn as promised
Instead ministers want more time to consult on their SEND reforms, and are now promising it will come 'early in the new year'
Probably the right call, but still frustrating
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Instead ministers want more time to consult on their SEND reforms, and are now promising it will come 'early in the new year'
Probably the right call, but still frustrating
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-whit...
Reposted by Dave West @ HSJ
I'm glad and pleased that @thekingsfund.bsky.social is now a supporter of @healthequals.bsky.social, the campaign for tackling pernicious, unjust, economically damaging AND PREVENTABLE inequalities in health.
October 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I'm glad and pleased that @thekingsfund.bsky.social is now a supporter of @healthequals.bsky.social, the campaign for tackling pernicious, unjust, economically damaging AND PREVENTABLE inequalities in health.