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New Hospital Programme timetable slips again as trusts wait on capital allocationsVirtual wards settle into the model that suits themElectronic patient record rollouts hit contract friction in three regionsPharmacy First referrals rise as NHS shifts more minor illness care away from general practiceNursing vacancies fall but temporary staffing remains a major NHS costMental health trusts warn as out-of-area placements remain a persistent problemIntegrated care boards face further pressure to cut running costsMedicines shortages prompt fresh focus on UK manufacturingTHE SHIFTING BALANCE: How Community Diagnostic Centres are Redefining NHS Elective RecoveryTHE GOVERNANCE BOTTLENECK: How Data Sharing Agreements are Slowing AI Deployment in UK Medical ImagingNew Hospital Programme timetable slips again as trusts wait on capital allocationsVirtual wards settle into the model that suits themElectronic patient record rollouts hit contract friction in three regionsPharmacy First referrals rise as NHS shifts more minor illness care away from general practiceNursing vacancies fall but temporary staffing remains a major NHS costMental health trusts warn as out-of-area placements remain a persistent problemIntegrated care boards face further pressure to cut running costsMedicines shortages prompt fresh focus on UK manufacturingTHE SHIFTING BALANCE: How Community Diagnostic Centres are Redefining NHS Elective RecoveryTHE GOVERNANCE BOTTLENECK: How Data Sharing Agreements are Slowing AI Deployment in UK Medical Imaging
Steel frame of a new hospital wing under construction with a tower crane overheadEstates & Infrastructure

New Hospital Programme timetable slips again as trusts wait on capital allocations

NHS trusts face continued uncertainty over major hospital redevelopment projects as the New Hospital Programme’s revised timetable pushes construction further into the 2030s, while questions remain over when individual schemes will receive confirmed capital allocations.

Electronic patient record rollouts hit contract friction in three regionsDigital Health

Electronic patient record rollouts hit contract friction in three regions

NHS trusts are facing growing commercial and legal challenges as major electronic patient record procurements are delayed or disrupted by supplier disputes, highlighting the complexity and risk involved in delivering large-scale digital transformation.

Nurses and doctors walking through a busy hospital corridorWorkforce

Nursing vacancies fall but temporary staffing remains a major NHS cost

Nursing vacancies have fallen significantly as the NHS expands its permanent workforce, but trusts still spent £7.37bn on bank and agency staffing in 2025/26, keeping temporary workforce costs firmly in focus.

Government buildings in Westminster on an overcast dayPolicy

Integrated care boards face further pressure to cut running costs

Integrated care boards are facing continued pressure to reduce costs as the NHS enters a new multi-year financial planning period, following a major restructuring that required boards to cut running and programme costs by around 50%.

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Capital schemes in progress

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  • Whipps Cross Hospital Redevelopment

    £1.2bn

    Barts Health NHS Trust · In procurement · due 2032

  • Royal Preston Hospital New Build

    £950m

    Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Business case · due 2033

  • Leeds Hospitals Adults and Childrens Centres

    £1.4bn

    Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust · Enabling works · due 2031

  • North Manchester General Rebuild

    £800m

    Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust · Design · due 2032

  • Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

    £550m

    Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Construction · due 2029

  • Shotley Bridge Community Hospital

    £45m

    County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust · Construction · due 2027

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