Health On The Line

For this episode of Health on the Line, we're joined by three expert guests to unpack the government's 10 Year Health Plan, which has just been released. We'll be reflecting on the key elements of the plan – what it means for the health and care service and the kinds of shifts that will be needed for it to be successful. We also reflect on the current landscape that the plan lands in with changes...

For this episode of Health on the Line, recorded live at NHS ConfedExpo 2025, we’re exploring all things comms and engagement within the NHS.   Our communications director Daniel Reynolds leads the discussion and is joined by three communications executives with deep experience in the sector: Edna Boampong, Ranjeet Kaile and Rory Hegarty.   The lively discussion covers everything from ch...

In this special episode of Health on the Line, recorded live from NHS ConfedExpo 2025, host Matthew Taylor is joined by Channel 4’s Victoria Macdonald and The Sunday Times’ Shaun Lintern to reflect on two packed days of debate, insight, and networking. With almost 7,000 delegates and over 150 sessions, the trio discuss their key takeaways from the conference—including health secretary Wes Streetin...

Ahead of NHS ConfedExpo 2025, Matthew Taylor caught up with the new Chief Executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, for a wide-ranging discussion touching on the challenges facing the health system, the 10 year health plan, navigating politics and developing leadership across the NHS.   Plus, our Leader in Six with Lorraine Mattis, Chief Executive of University of Suffolk Dental CIC. Hosted o...

FEED SWAP. Our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast is back for a second series. To give you a flavour of the show, we're putting out episode one on our Health on the Line stream. In this episode we’re exploring how to mobilise change effectively within and between organisations, particularly in relation to the government’s forthcoming Ten Year Plan for the NHS. With unique insights into...

The budget cuts to integrated care boards and their impact are a shock to many across the health care system, but also an opportunity for leaders to implement changes in the fundamental structures of primary and secondary care. Could this be the moment to make the investment shift to primary and community services? To discuss the potential and pitfalls, Matthew is joined by Rory Deighton, director...

With the recent release of the ICB operating model blueprint, Matthew discusses the future for how ICBs may operate in the face of the 50 per cent cut in operating costs.    Crucial to the future success of ICBs will be the importance of working with local government and the need for strategic commissioning.    Joining Matthew on the podcast are two ICB leaders who were part of...

On the eve of our Care Closer to Home conference, we explore the urgent need to shift healthcare from hospitals to primary and community settings. Despite decades of ambition, acute priorities still dominate. In this episode we hear from Birmingham and Solihull ICB on the shifts they’ve been making in this area.  Joining Matthew in the conversation is Paul Sherriff, executive director of Birm...

Public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all-time low according to the latest data, but what can be done in the short term to improve matters while NHS leaders try to make long-term change? Rachel Power of the Patients Association* and Leonora Merry of the Nuffield Trust delve into the data with Matthew Taylor and suggest what can be done.  This episode’s Leader in Six is with Steve Williams...

Huge change in health and care: Integrated Care Boards must cut their budgets by 50%, and acute providers are expected to roll back 50% of corporate cost growth since 2020. This on top of NHS England winding down within two years and transitioning what remains into the Department for Health and Social Care. Matthew talks to two leaders navigating these challenges; Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive...

Matthew’s joined by Richard Sloggett, founder and programme director at Future Health, for a deep dive into the significant recent changes in NHS leadership. The discussion highlights the evolving dynamics between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, the challenges posed by financial constraints and the importance of local leadership in implementing change.   Plus, a...

Matthew Taylor speaks with Sally Warren, director general at the Department for Health and Social Care, about the upcoming NHS ten-year health plan. They discuss the engagement process with the public, the challenges and opportunities in transforming healthcare, and the importance of collaboration with community partners. Sally shares insights from public feedback and addresses cynicism towards th...

Matthew Taylor and Bill Morgan, former Downing Street health policy advisor, discuss the recent NHS planning guidance, focusing on the government's priorities - particularly the emphasis on elective performance. They explore the implications of A&E targets, financial challenges, and the evolving relationship between NHS leadership and government – as well as the critical elements needed for a...

Matthew Taylor is joined by Dr Katharine Halliday, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, to discuss the critical role of radiology in healthcare, the workforce challenges faced by the profession and the transformative potential of technology and AI in improving diagnostic processes. He also speaks to BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle about the broadcaster’s approach to health stories...

Matthew Taylor’s joined by Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at The King’s Fund, and Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director at the IPPR, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the NHS as it approaches its ten-year plan. They explore the importance of access to care, the need for a focus on prevention and the potential for a mission-driven government to reshape health policy. The discu...

In this episode, Matthew Taylor and HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan discuss the complexities of NHS leadership, the role of managers, and the impact of health policy narratives. They explore the challenges of reporting on NHS management – including insights on the HSJ's own approach.  Matthew’s also joined by Anna Parry, MD of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, to talk winter wa...

In this week’s Health on the Line, Matthew speaks to Stephanie Cartwright, Group Director of Place for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, leading the place based partnerships in the Black Country ICS. Steph talks about the power and potential of work at Place level and what’s happening in her area, as well as the new report published by the NHS Confederation on the...

In this episode, Matthew Taylor discusses the pressing issues of economic inactivity and health challenges in the UK with Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor for The Times, highlighting the alarming trend of rising economic inactivity due to health issues and the need for a coordinated approach to tackle these challenges.   Matthew's also joined by former NHS Chief Executive Paul Roberts to di...

Matthew Taylor takes a deep dive into the Autumn Budget and what it means for the NHS with Sally Gainsbury, senior policy analyst at Nuffield Trust. They explore the challenges posed by the current financial landscape and ongoing negotiations regarding NHS funding and public health budgets.  Matthew’s also joined by Patricia Miller, chief executive of NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, to disc...

The recently released CQC (Care Quality Commission) review has highlighted systemic failings in how the organisation operates. We speak to the author Penny Dash, chair of North West London Integrated Care Board, about what went wrong, and what happens from here on? Also, in this podcast we find out about the NHS Confederation's recent report on the future of Neighbourhood Health. What does effecti...

With integrated care systems now just over two years old, how effective are they in succeeding at their goals, and what needs to change for them to be more effective in the coming years? Matthew Taylor talks to Dr Kathy McLean OBE , chair of the NHS Confederation’s ICS Network and NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, as we release our State of Integrated Care Systems in 2023/24 report.&...

The government was elected on a pledge to hit the 18-week waiting target for elective care within five years. But how achievable is this with the current level of investment? Hannah Farrar of CF, a health and data consultancy, argues that without strategic transformation, digitising processes and collaborative innovation the needle will barely move. Also, on the back of Lord Darzi's report on the...

With economic inactivity at an all-time high, how can national and local systems unlock the potential of millions who would like to work if they had the right support and employment opportunities? To consider the issues, Matthew Taylor is joined by Rt Hon Alan Milburn , former health secretary under Tony Blair. As chair of the pioneering Pathways to Work Commission , he calls for a rethink of how...

Just over two years on from their formal establishment, integrated care systems (ICSs) are continuing to contend with a range of challenges. But green shoots are emerging and the opportunities before them are starting to be more fully explored.  Paul Mears , chief executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board in Wales and former chief executive of Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset, talk...

If there was any doubt over the importance of public health policy, the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the notion. But with an 18-year difference in healthy life expectancy between the most deprived and affluent communities, are we missing a trick when it comes to public health? In this episode, Matthew Taylor puts the question to  Professor Kevin Fenton , a public health specialist and infect...