Greener NHS five years on: the supplier roadmap is tightening

Executive summary The signal: NHS England’s September report shows direct emissions down to 4.7 MtCO₂e (−68% since 1990). Desflurane is nearly eliminated (−98%), inhaler emissions down 33%, and nitrous oxide waste savings are £2.3m/year.   Why this matters: Progress is real — but the supplier compliance bar is rising fast: 2027 (org-level reporting), 2028 (product-level…

Read More

RTT backlog: 7.4 million pathways; 52- and 65-week breaches persist

Lead paragraph Latest NHS England data show that the referral-to-treatment (RTT) waiting list stood at 7.4 million open pathways at the end of August 2025, only marginally down from the summer peak. The figures confirm that long-wait breaches—patients waiting more than 52 and 65 weeks—remain stubbornly high despite sustained elective-recovery efforts and targeted funding. Expanded…

Read More

Inequalities that matter: a blueprint for closing gaps in access, completion and outcomes

Executive summary The signal: September Board reports confirm inequalities persist across autism waits, cervical screening, MMR coverage, and mental health discharge delays.   Why this matters: Health inequalities are no longer a moral issue alone; they are now embedded in NHS oversight, finance, and productivity.   What to do now: Build equity guardrails into commissioning,…

Read More