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Keeping you up-to-date with the news and views that matter, this daily news digest is collated by Salix & Co, specialists in communications for the health, education and social sectors.
From the Bureau Editor
Thursday 12 November 2026
Good morning
One piece of good news as Winter and the pressures it brings approaches: The planned two-day strike by consultant doctors has been called off after the government agreed to negotiate.
In less good news, NHSE has admitted that hospitals could lack the number of beds needed for emergency admissions this Winter, and a new report from NHS Alliance suggests that only one in five NHS leaders believe CQC reforms will improve the regulator’s performance.
Don’t miss: In The Loop: The BIG Questions Live Podcast Episode TODAY at 12.30
Join Roy Lilley & Niall Dickson CBE for a LIVE In The Loop podcast at 12.30pm with special guest, Ed Smith, Chair of the NHS College of Leadership & Management.
Ed will offer a rare insider’s view of the new NHS Leadership Competency Framework, discussing the evidence and behaviours behind it, why it was redesigned, and how it reflects the expectations of modern leaders across today’s health and care system. Listen here
It’s all part of the IHSCM Winter Conference starting at 10.00 today.
Bureau Editor
the briefing
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NHS Policy / Performance / Service redesign / £ / Covid inquiry
NHS England has acknowledged that hospitals could lack the beds needed to accommodate increased emergency admissions this winter because of financial constraints. Giving evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee, NHS leaders were questioned about the adequacy of preparations for winter demand. Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, warned that hospitals were entering winter with approximately 1,000 fewer beds than last year.
Only one in five NHS leaders believe CQC reforms will improve regulator's performance: NHS Alliance’s new survey of NHS leaders has found continuing widespread dissatisfaction with the CQC, more than two years after major failings in its inspection arrangements prompted reform.
Primary care, pharmacy, dentistry, optical, community
NHS Property Services has installed sensors in approximately 150 GP practices across England to monitor how clinical premises are being used,
Dental regulator proposes tighter English-language evidence requirements for overseas-qualified professionals
Pharmacy First should expand to migraine, respiratory infections and dermatology says Company Chemists Association
The General Pharmaceutical Council plans to trial an independent Pharmacy Concerns Resolution Service in early 2027 Pharm Journal
IT/Tech
Palantir: The UK data and analytics firm Quantexa is the frontrunner being lined up to replace Palantir as the lead supplier for the NHS FDP from 2029. The consortium also comprises global cloud data platform provider Snowflake plus other firms like Voror and Aire
Science minister Chris McDonald has argued that the UK should make greater use of NHS health information to support artificial intelligence, drug discovery and pharmaceutical investment. Speaking to the Financial Times (£ wall), the minister emphasised the potential value of the NHS's extensive longitudinal health records, while acknowledging that public trust and effective safeguards will be essential.
Workforce
Consultants suspend November strikes after government agrees to formal negotiations NHS Employers
Social care
More familiar carers and less travel under new social care plans - Government announces neighbourhood-based commissioning of home care DHSC
what the bloggers are blogging
NEW! Integrated health organisations (IHOs): what can the NHS learn from UK and international evidence? Health Foundation
NEW! CQC’s State of Care 2025/26 report:
NEW! What does the Autumn Budget 2026 mean for the NHS, health and adult social care? King’s Fund
NEW! Better prepared perhaps, but no more resilient: how would social care fare today if a new pandemic hit? Nuffield Trust
NEW! Policy Exchange’s new report, Engineered for Success: Lessons from the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering calls for a new wave of technical universities to tackle the NEET crisis and provide the skills that Britain needs. The report examines NMITE, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering, in rural Herefordshire, as a model for a new wave of employer-focused, teaching-only technical institutions.
what's on when
IHSCM Winter Conference Save The Date 12th November 2026
IHSCM Round up of news, commentary and upcoming events
What’s on in 2026 - lots of new courses for the IHSCM - details here
For more information about regional hubs and IHSCM membership, please look here
For a full list of IHSCM's upcoming events, look here
If you missed any, they are all are available to watch again here
For all upcoming events Life Sciences Academy
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