Reducing agency staff costs – a major focus before the pandemic – is one of the issues that is back on the agenda.
The NHS will face higher deductions from commissioner payments than previously proposed if activity levels fall below target.
A move to a new payment system must avoid an increase in bureaucracy.
The spending review settlement had provided the NHS with some £9bn more than was originally anticipated in 2019’s long-term plan.
The Department of Health and Social Care has unveiled how it plans to use additional funding to support the NHS through the winter.
The past few months have been dominated by decisions on NHS spending in England.
NHS recovery plan 2021-2026 also pledges to increase inpatient and day-case activity through a network of national treatment centres (NTCs).
Primary care networks (PCNs) will receive dedicated management funding under plans for the coming 18 months.
As always, funding will be a major issue. The NHS in England was yet to hear its funding settlement for the second half of the financial year.
It is widely anticipated that chancellor Rishi Sunak will find further funding for the health service.