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Chris Ham

@chrisham.bsky.social
1.4K followers 353 following 85 posts

Health policy and management, cycling, walking, theatre, reading, and above all family, emeritus prof at University of Birmingham and formerly CEO of The Kings Fund

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Reposted by Chris Ham
The King's Fund @thekingsfund.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
The NHS 10 Year Health Plan will only succeed if we invest in management. Here are 5 reasons why strong, skilled management is critical to better care. Full long read: bit.ly/437AuPW @profjudithsmith.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Good morning Newcastle
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Professor Judith Smith @profjudithsmith.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Delighted to author this new report from @hsmcentre.bsky.social and @thekingsfund.bsky.social along with @suziebailey.bsky.social and @chrisham.bsky.social NHS management matters so much and needs professionalising, support and investment, not denigration.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Tuesday in glorious Warwickshire
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
Way out west
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Professor Judith Smith @profjudithsmith.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
DHSC has now published its proposals to regulate (or rather bar) #NHS managers. In this @bmj.com paper, @suziebailey.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social & I argue that regulation needs to be accompanied by wider changes to professionalise, train & support leaders: www.bmj.com/content/389/...
bmj.com
NHS management reform: regulation is just the beginning
Regulation of managers now seems inevitable, but must be accompanied by wider changes focused on professionalising and supporting NHS leaders Calls to regulate NHS managers have been made for over 25...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Potato harvest in Pembrokeshire today
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Lessons from NHS reforms that this week's 10 year plan should incorporate www.nhsconfed.org/articles/wha...
nhsconfed.org
What can we learn about implementation from previous NHS reforms?
To deliver the ten-year health plan successfully we must learn the lessons from past reforms.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Lessons from NHS reforms that this week's 10 year plan should incorporate www.nhsconfed.org/articles/wha...
nhsconfed.org
What can we learn about implementation from previous NHS reforms?
To deliver the ten-year health plan successfully we must learn the lessons from past reforms.
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Professor Judith Smith @profjudithsmith.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Newly published @bmj.com paper from @suziebailey.bsky.social @chrisham.bsky.social & me, arguing that it’s time to regulate NHS management, but this will not suffice. Significant investment in training, development & support, & wider professionalisation, are needed. #healthpolicy #healthmanagement
bmj.com
NHS management reform: regulation is just the beginning
Regulation of managers now seems inevitable, but must be accompanied by wider changes focused on professionalising and supporting NHS leaders Calls to regulate NHS managers have been made for over 25...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
regulation of NHS managers and why less central direction, a culture focused on patients and not bullying, and a commitment to increased professionalism enabled by training and a code of conduct are needed @profjudithsmith.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/389/...
bmj.com
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Does this prefigure parts of the 10 year NHS plan? ippr-org.files.svdcdn.com/production/D...
ippr-org.files.svdcdn.com
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
its time to take prevention seriously and fully engage people in keeping healthy and using services wisely - this must be at the heart of the 10 year NHS plan. The road for increasing spending on a sickness service is running out
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Reposted by Chris Ham
The BMJ @bmj.com · 16/06/2025
The NHS must reduce demand for healthcare with spending increases nearing their limits, writes @chrisham.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/389/...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Summer flowers Warwickshire
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Wednesday bike ride in Warwickshire
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
In this fine city today to speak at conference on engaging patients in improving health and care and role of health coaches
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Bob Dylan turns 84 today.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Cycling in Girona this week
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
In part but there’s a skill set and mind set that are also important. NHS leaders and ministers too often default to hierarchy and overlook relationships, trust and the ‘soft’ stuff
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Reposted by Chris Ham
NHS Confederation (now known as The NHS Alliance) @nhsconfed.org · 22/05/2025
Another insightful blog, Chris. Thanks for your contribution to NHS Voices.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Bon Dia from northern Spain
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
www.nhsconfed.org/articles/how...
nhsconfed.org
How can ICB commissioning succeed where previous attempts have failed?
Sir Chris Ham on what ICBs need to succeed as commissioners, in the face of current changes for the NHS and past commissioning challenges.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
My views on challenges for ICBs as commissioners
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Life immitates
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Who knows the name of the UK’s national bowel hospital? I’ve been working today with its staff and leaders. Feels like a well kept secret
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Brilliant concert by Gregory Porter last night at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Great musicians in fab venue
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Beautiful Easter weather in west Wales
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Way out west
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Important letter from Jim Mackey with update on improvement in NHS finances in 25/26 and intention to move to fair shares funding allocations www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/wo...
england.nhs.uk
NHS England » Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform
Classification: OfficialPublication reference: PRN01930 To: cc. Dear Colleague Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform  When we met on 13 March, I committed to writing out on day...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
chrisham1.substack.com/p/reorganisi...
chrisham1.substack.com
Reorganising the NHS
Future arrangements must support shifts in care
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
And more staff to deliver care
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
My views on abolition of NHS England. Is the NHS capable of being controlled by Ministers? And why political, managerial and clinical leadership are all needed www.bmj.com/content/388/...
bmj.com
Abolition of NHS England seeks to put ministers in control of the NHS
Reorganisation threatens to distract managers and staff from work to improve patient care In the end, enough was enough. Having promised not to undertake a top-down reorganisation of the NHS, that is...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
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Jessica Studdert @jesstud.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Fed up with what’s going on in the world but still wanna change it? Come and work with us…
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Reposted by Chris Ham
The King's Fund @thekingsfund.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Following the recent announcement of changes to the top of NHS England, Nick Timmins and @chrisham.bsky.social take a look back at the chequered relationship between government and the health service. What will this new 'era' bring? buff.ly/43dyXZd
buff.ly
What Will The Relationship Between Ministers & The NHS Be In Future? | The King's Fund
Following the recent announcement of changes to the top of NHS England, Nicholas Timmins and Professor Sir Chris Ham take a look back at the chequered relationship between government and the health…
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
My views on NHS leadership in yesterday’s Times
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Reposted by Chris Ham
NHS Confederation (now known as The NHS Alliance) @nhsconfed.org · 25/02/2025
"Amanda Pritchard's commitment to the service has been evident in everything she has done." Our chief executive @confedmatt.bsky.social responds to the announcement Amanda Pritchard is to resign at the end of March. www.nhsconfed.org/news/nhs-con...
nhsconfed.org
NHS Confederation responds to Amanda Pritchard's resignation
Amanda Pritchard's commitment to the service has been evident in everything she has done.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Interesting snippet from Get In, the story of Labour under Starmer, on how the PM in opposition was impressed with Marmot’s work on health inequalities and wanted it to shape Labour’s programme @patrickmaguire.bsky.social @michaelmarmot.bsky.social
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
And valued and supported by clinical teams
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Karen Hao @karenhao.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
For decades, the US government has painstakingly kept American science #1 globally—and every facet of American life has improved because of it. The internet? Flu shot? Ozempic? All grew out of federally-funded research. Now all that's being dismantled. 1/ www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1...
technologyreview.com
The foundations of America’s prosperity are being dismantled
Federal scientists warn that Americans could feel the effects of the new administration's devastating cuts for decades to come
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
New OECD survey shows benefits for patients who are more confident in managing chronic conditions
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Reposted by Chris Ham
Alf Collins @alfcollins.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Totally agree @chrisham.bsky.social. We are a long way from an ‘activated and engaged’ population but this must be a real focus in the long term plan.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
the NHS 10 year health plan must create the conditions for a shift from providers to patients, people and communities www.bmj.com/content/388/...
bmj.com
The NHS in England needs a fourth shift to transform care and outcomes
Active partnerships with patients, people, and communities should be at the heart of the 10-year NHS plan Wes Streeting has argued that three shifts are required to make the NHS fit for the future: f...
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
where does responsibility lie for improving health? Interesting and surprising evidence in this new report www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...
kingsfund.org.uk
10 Year Health Plan | Public Perceptions Of The Government's Three Shifts | The King's Fund
What do the public think of the 'three shifts' proposed by the government's10 Year Health Plan? Find out more in this long read, written in collaboration with the team from Ipsos.
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Raiding capital budgets to cover revenue deficits is not helping NHS productivity NHS driving decline in public sector productivity www.thetimes.com/article/f6d1...
thetimes.com
NHS driving decline in public sector productivity
The ONS found that the service remains 18.4 per cent below its pre-pandemic productivity levels — but senior health leaders dispute the figures
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
beg borrow or steal a copy of this from FT weekend on importance of trust and strong institutions to avoid chaos and decline The article is about US but has wide relevance www.ft.com/content/4e3f...
ft.com
The real threat to American prosperity
Nobel-winning economist Daron Acemoglu on trade wars, tech industry hubris — and how loss of faith in US institutions could spiral
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
The ugly: efficiency savings this year will have adverse impact on patient care if budgets are to be balanced
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Chris Ham @chrisham.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Dorset coast
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