Health and care sector latest developments

Polanski plans to stand in Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has expressed his intention to stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

Though he still requires support from the local party, The Guardian reports that local Greens are supportive of his candidacy. The Green Party leader told the Camden New Journal that he has lived and worked in "this community" for many years and is excited by the prospect of representing the constituency in parliament.

It will not be the first time Mr Polanski has sought election in Camden. Labour's Emily Thornberry has highlighted his unsuccessful attempt to win election as a Liberal Democrat councillor in 2015.

Mr Polanski’s prospects may also be strengthened by Andrew Feinstein's decision not to contest the seat. The left-wing independent candidate who finished second in the constituency at the 2024 general election has confirmed he will not stand, The New Statesman reported. 

NHSE backs FDP despite Palantir scrutiny

NHS England (NHSE) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Federated Data Platform (FDP) despite continuing political scrutiny of its contract with technology supplier Palantir.

According to HSJ, NHSE chief data and analytics officer Ayub Bhayat stressed that the FDP is "here for the long term" regardless of future supplier decisions and said it was vital not to lose sight of the programme's purpose and benefits.

Mr Bhayat also pushed back against suggestions that the value of the programme had been overstated, arguing that lower estimates "significantly undervalued" the benefits expected to be delivered. His intervention comes amid continued political debate over Palantir's role within the NHS and the governance of large-scale health data programmes.

NHS workforce falls year-on-year for first time since 2013

The number of NHS staff in England has fallen year-on-year for the first time since 2013, according to new workforce figures reported by HSJ.

There were 1.37 million full-time equivalent staff employed across trusts and integrated care boards in June, down 4,116 (0.3 per cent) compared with the same month last year. The decline follows reductions in support and back-office roles, including HR, finance, IT and management positions, alongside a significant slowdown in clinical recruitment.

While clinical staff numbers continue to grow overall, the rate of growth has fallen sharply. Nursing workforce growth has slowed from 6.4 per cent in June 2024 to 0.9 per cent this year, while increases in doctor, midwife and ambulance staff numbers have also moderated.

The figures come as NHS organisations seek to reduce deficits and improve productivity through tighter workforce controls. Commenting on the data, Unison head of health Helga Pile warned that cutting support roles could increase pressure on frontline staff and undermine efforts to reduce waiting lists and improve performance.