IN THIS ISSUE:
Message from our Chief Executive
As summer begins, I’m pleased to share some key updates from UHUK and reflections on what lies ahead.
We’re making encouraging progress towards a potential partnership with Social Enterprise UK. This relationship could strengthen our collective voice, offer new opportunities for advocacy, and open doors to wider networks that share our values around social impact, profit for purpose and innovation. We’ll keep you informed as discussions develop. In the meantime, we are delighted to confirm that the CEO of SEUK will be joining us at our conference this year.
Planning for the annual conference this October is well underway. This year’s theme is Innovation, Integration, Impact: mission-driven urgent care. We’ll explore how UHUK members are shaping the future of urgent care by combining digital innovation, place-based working, and people-first approaches. Expect powerful contributions from NHS England, system leaders, and front-line innovators - plus plenty of space to share what works, network with peers, and celebrate collective impact. If you only attend one event this year, make it this one.
Nationally, the emerging direction of the NHS 10-Year Plan suggests a stronger emphasis on prevention, care at, or closer to, home, provided through neighbourhood healthcare models, and system efficiency through harnessing technology. However, we’re also seeing a growing focus on creating ‘accountable care organisations’ to lead the commissioning of local services, organisations which, in many areas, look likely to be acute trusts. This shift raises concerns and opportunities for our members. We will be working hard to ensure that the value of members in the provision of community-led, integrated urgent care, that supports and helps our acute sector colleagues, is not lost, and that commissioning models reflect the breadth and diversity of care needed to support population health.
Finally, I’m delighted to welcome Tara-Lee Baohm to the UHUK team. Tara-Lee joined us this month as Programme Director on a temporary basis, to support the delivery of our new Innovation Strategy, bringing extensive experience in transformation, evaluation and partnership working. I know she’ll be a great asset to our work and to you, our members.
Thank you for all that you do - I look forward to seeing many of you at events and meetings over the summer and at our annual conference in October.
GP Employment Status Project
Building on our joint work over the last 3 years, focused on how we respond to organisational risks associated with GP employment status, a 12-month advisory retainer has been agreed with Rebecca Seeley-Harris, employment status legal expert.
The work will provide in-depth advice, training and consultancy on employment status, off-payroll working (IR35) and related tax matters to 13 UHUK members.
The first meeting happened at the beginning of June and covered:
• Employment status case law (PSC, IR35, self-employed, etc)
• HMRC Employment Status Manual and CEST tool updates
• HMRC policy updates
• Employment status industry relevant updates
Going forward the project will address member priority issues and provider relevant legal developments and training related to:
• Briefing on relevant case law
• In-depth legal analysis of the issues related to the IUC market
• Developments in practice and compliance
• Latest intelligence on employment status in employment rights cases.
NHS Confederation and NHS Providers open talks on potential merger
You may have read the above in HSJ, if not you can read the article here.
Conor is due to meet with the CEO of NHS Providers in the coming weeks and will feed back to you following that meeting. In the meantime, strengthening our voice and influence now becomes even more important if NHS organisations are to have only one membership body.
Message from the Chair
Making a difference - “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
At the heart of social enterprise is our social purpose; our why. Arguably, it is a great compliment to the role we provide for the NHS, that the Government now requires an assessment of “social impact” as part of the decision making for buying services. We agree, it is an important, critical element beyond just the cost of the service, that should include the broader benefits and impact on individuals, communities and the environment.
Of course, because it is part of our members' DNA, we are not always the best at presenting how good we are at it, whilst arguably our competitors (commercial colleagues) present a strong case, even though social impact may not be their core reason for being.
With this in mind, we (at least I do) often wrestle with “how do we differentiate ourselves” in the market place to be an NHS provider of choice. It is not always easy to step back and
reflect on what we naturally do every day, nor to shout about it. However, as per the above quote from Margaret Mead, please know you are making a difference for good, for those we serve every day, our staff, our communities, our environment and our work with the voluntary sector.
At a recent meeting, kindly hosted by Hempsons and facilitated by The Connectives, members discussed the value of our own Quality Assurance Framework. The aim for the Framework is to support service quality, patient care, innovation, learning and importantly, how it could help our services “stand out” for the contribution we make to the NHS. Dawood Anwar is doing a great job leading this work and we plan to build on the themes developed at the forthcoming CEO Conference in July.
Alongside this work we are developing a series of “Position Statements” which will help us to promote the work of our members and the services provided. We need your support to help back
Venture Builder update
UHUK is planning to launch a Venture Builder - a bold new approach to developing innovative, member-led solutions to urgent care challenges. Rather than relying solely on external partners or start-ups, the Venture Builder allows UHUK members to create and own new ventures themselves, with a much higher stake in the outcomes.
Unlike the traditional model where entrepreneurs build in isolation, the Venture Builder offers a structured, low-risk method for innovation. It identifies real-world problems, tests ideas rapidly, and builds multiple ventures in parallel using shared resources - from funding and infrastructure to clinical insight and tech expertise.
This is a major opportunity for members to lead on innovation, building commercially and socially impactful solutions with direct relevance to their services.
up these statements with case studies and data and together we can create an “impact library”, readily available to help communicate and promote our members.
Collectively, we have a great story to tell not least evidenced by the outstanding passion, enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated through our Annual UHUK Awards and Awards Show-case. Please grab the opportunity to enter the 2025 Awards so we can all celebrate together the tremendous work taking place…. And it is great to see our members entering and winning/being shortlisted for other awards including the HSJ. Together, we have plenty to be proud of and I hope we can build our story and presence throughout the NHS.
I look forward to meeting many of you at our CEO Conference in Belfast and our National Conference in Staverton in October. I hope many of you will be able to join us and together “a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world”.
Key features of the model:
• Systematic problem identification and solution design
• Rapid testing and validation using proven methodologies
• Centralised support including capital, talent, and infrastructure
• Parallel venture creation and scaling of what works
So far, multiple UHUK members have committed to the initiative, with pledges totalling just under £410,000. Final commitments are being confirmed through member board meetings, and a full update will be shared with all members by the end of June.
Comms Update
Sharon Clifton, Communications Lead
It’s been a busy few months on the comms front, with a lot of work going on behind the scenes to keep UHUK’s voice active and visible in the wider system.
Shining a light on UHUK Members
We’ve launched two new Linked In series: the CEO Spotlight, giving a platform to some of the brilliant leaders behind our member organisations, and the Award Showcase Series, sharing real examples of innovation and impact from this year’s UHUK Conference. These are getting good engagement - if you haven’t seen them yet, do take a look and give them a share.
Building our national voice
We’re making good progress on a set of position papers to help raise UHUK’s profile with key audiences. Early drafts cover neighbourhood health, the role our members
play in supporting acute trusts, and the importance of interoperability and 24/7 care coordination. We’ve also published an insights paper in response to the Health Foundation’s report on winter A&E pressures, drawing on real experiences from our members and highlighting what can be learned from them.
Reaching out and looking ahead
We’ve sent introductory letters to several new system leaders to let them know who we are and what we’re about. Planning is also well underway for our UHUK Conference, and we’ve invited a strong line-up of speakers to join us. We’re also starting to explore ways to get UHUK onto more external platforms and event programmes, so we can share what our members are doing more widely.
Looking ahead, we’ll be publishing the position papers, continuing the social media series, and developing new content to tie in with the imminent publication of the NHS 10-Year Plan. If you’ve got something to share - a story, a success, or an idea - I’d love to hear from you.
The new UEC Plan 25/26 – What it means for UHUK members
The government’s latest Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/26, published on 6 June, sets out a £450 million investment package to help the NHS manage rising demand while improving flow and outcomes. Of that, £370 million is capital funding to expand urgent treatment facilities (£40m), digital infrastructure (£20m) and mental health support (100m), while the remainder covers workforce, training, and operational resilience measures.
The plan adopts a comprehensive whole-system approach with a clear policy direction towards more care being delivered in community and urgent primary care settings, in line with the recently published Neighbourhood Health Guidelines. The plan promotes colocated Urgent Treatment Centres alongside Emergency Departments to help reduce pressure on A&E and increase same-day care. The development of up to 40 new UTCs, plus expanded access to SameDay Emergency Care, creates clear opportunities for UHUK members
to demonstrate our capability in rapid, integrated response. The plan prioritises supporting systems that can best demonstrate how early investment will deliver measurable results this winter.
There’s also an emphasis on enhanced clinical triage and assessment, particularly via NHS 111 and clinical assessment services. The plan supports stronger links between NHS 111, out-of-hours GP services, and local CAS models, and emphasises the ‘call before you convey’ principle with the aim of resolving more patient needs without hospital attendance. This validates the work many of you are already doing and reinforces the case for better integration between call handling, clinical advice, and in-person care. However, we do note the absence of new funding for GP capacity, which risks undermining this ambition if left unaddressed.
Importantly, the plan references the strategic use of virtual wards to support patient flow, especially
in frailty and respiratory care. For UHUK members already involved in remote monitoring or at-home diagnostics, this is a welcome signal that these innovations are becoming core NHS infrastructure.
As ever, our strength lies in practical delivery. This plan shows that NHS England increasingly recognises the value of integrated, 24/7, community-led care.
Next steps
We are working on messaging and position papers to engage with NHS England and other stakeholders, to help shape how the above plan is implemented—locally, sustainably, and with the right clinical leadership.
If your service model aligns with these priorities, we’d love to hear from you with case studies to demonstrate the difference your services are making, how they are supporting this approach, and how they could do more.
Conor Burke
• Things On Your Mind?
Tony Bruce Advisory/Consultancy/Interim/Non-Exec Services
Finance and External Auditor; enhanced by Coaching training and Myers Briggs accreditation.
• What do the new NHS Changes Mean for Us, What threats and opportunities?
• How do we survive the evertightening financial squeeze and workforce challenges?
• How will we get our change and development plans implemented?
You may know me as the “IR35 Man” who led the UHUK HMRC Project, supporting UHUK Members to manage one of their most significant financial and organisational risks.
But did you know that I am a Versatile and Experienced Management Consultant, Interim and potential Non-Executive Director with 7 years Consulting Practice, 21 years NHS CEO experience and 10 years as a Director of
I have consistently driven improvements in services, performance, value, finances, corporate governance and organisational capability through an engaging, focussed, resilient and developmental approach to consulting, leadership and management.
In the last 12 months I have supported one of your peers in significant financial deficit and risk to restore financial health and strengthen financial controls, reporting and governance, whilst improving service performance and productivity. I have also undertaken a deep dive of operational IR35 compliance; and supported several other Members with the development of their GP Contracts, following our joint work through the UHUK HMRC Project.
So, if your organisation could use some support, working out what to do, how to do it, getting it done, or developing internal capability then get in touch for a conversation.
I am available for short advisory roles, longer-term consulting or interim roles, or in a NED capacity. And if I can’t be of support, I may know someone who can.
As a UHUK Member you can be sure of favourable rates and a great value proposition.
Call me for a Conversation, there’s nothing lost!
• Call: 07710 645524
• E mail: brucet.duart@ btiternet.com
• LinkedIn: Tony Bruce
DHU Launches New Out-of-Hours Acute Response Car in Derbyshire
DHU Healthcare has launched a new pilot service in Derbyshire to support patients at home overnight, helping to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and pressure on ambulance services.
The Acute Response Car (ARC) operates between 8pm and 8am, bridging the gap left by existing daytime falls recovery services. Staffed by two specially trained Health Care Assistants, the ARC team responds to non-life-threatening falls and also supports patients on virtual wards with clinical observations, safe and well checks, and rapid point-ofcare testing.
Between March and August 2024, data shows the ARC could have responded to two calls per night - potentially avoiding over 700 ambulance callouts per year.
Ian Ware, Head of Clinical Services, said the service improves patient safety and frees up ambulance crews for life-threatening cases. Advanced Clinical Practitioner Emma Wardale added that the ARC supports virtual ward patients overnight, enabling faster, in-home interventions that prevent hospital admissions.
The pilot is another example of DHU’s commitment to innovation in urgent care, ensuring more patients can safely remain at home with the right support.
BrisDoc Earns National Recognition for Mental Health Innovation
BrisDoc Healthcare has received high praise from NHS England for its role in the Mental Health Integrated Access Partnership (IAP) — a collaborative model transforming urgent mental health care in Bristol.
Co-led by BrisDoc alongside Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and South Western Ambulance Service, the IAP supports people in crisis while easing pressure on A&E. During a visit in April, senior NHS England leaders called it a national exemplar.
Dr Mary Docherty, National Clinical Director for Adult Mental Health, described the model as “beyond impressive,” praising BrisDoc’s leadership, inclusive culture, and “exceptional operational delivery.”
Ailsa Swarbrick, Regional Director (South West), said BrisDoc’s “leadership and culture really shone through,” while Ursula James, Associate Director of Mental Health, highlighted the team’s “commitment and enthusiasm.” Dr Mandy Burton, Deputy Director of Mental Health Nursing, commended its “innovative integration of roles” and “robust governance.”
BrisDoc, an employee-owned Social Enterprise, continues to play a leading role in integrated urgent care, offering valuable learning for systems nationwide.
To learn more or discuss opportunities for collaboration and shared learning, please contact BrisDoc directly.
PELC shortlisted for two Health Service Journal Patient Safety Awards
Congratulations to member PELC on being shortlisted for not one, but two HSJ 2025 Patient Safety Awards.
The team have been shortlisted for 'Urgent & Emergency Care Safety Initiative of the Year' and 'Developing a Positive Safety Culture'. They feature among 216 projects that have been shortlisted by the HSJ, which demonstrate excellence in their category.
Congratulations to everyone involved. We wish you the best of luck. In our eyes you are winners already (having won two UHUK Gold Awards last year). Keep up the great work
CONNECT & SHARE
Farewell to Fay
At the Awards Showcase we bid a fond farewell to Dr Fay Wilson, a long-term member of UHUK, and a pioneering leader whose four-decade career transformed urgent and primary care.
As co-founder of Badger Health Group, Fay led innovation in out-of-hours care, from launching drive-through clinics to building virtual waiting rooms. She influenced national policy, mentored future clinicians, and championed equity across the system.
We wish her all the best in her retirement.
Chair Nigel Gazzard presents Fay with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the UHUK family
PC24 Appointed New Nursing Care Provider in Liverpool
Primary Care 24 (PC24) has been appointed as the new nursing care provider for Millvina House in Anfield and Brushwood in Speke, following a competitive tender process by Liverpool City Council.
PC24’s 12-month contract begins this week and will see the organisation take over from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which had been providing care after the previous provider stepped away. The transition comes as Mersey Care confirmed it would not continue its service beyond May 2025.
Liverpool City Council praised PC24’s high-quality, person-centred approach and deep understanding of the local care landscape. The partnership is seen as a key step in strengthening nursing care provision across the city.
PC24 Chief Executive Dave Horsfield said: “We’re delighted to be taking on this role and look forward to working with the Council to deliver exceptional care for residents and ensure a smooth transition.”
Felicity Greene, CEO of North Hampshire Urgent Care, to retire this year
The Board of NHUC has announced that Felicity Greene, CEO of North Hampshire Urgent Care, will retire later this year.
Felicity has led NHUC for the past nine years, during which time she has expanded services, strengthened clinical pathways, and fostered a culture centred on patient care and staff wellbeing. Her impact on the organisation and wider community will be long-lasting.
Her retirement marks the culmination of a long and successful career in NHS leadership. Felicity has also been a valued and active member of UHUK, and we know you will join us in thanking her for her contribution and wishing her well as she steps away, proud of all she has achieved.
The NHUC Board has put a robust transition plan in place to ensure continuity and leadership stability. We will share further updates as their succession process progresses.
In other award news:
We are also delighted to say that Mastercall was shortlisted for the ‘Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year’ in Social Enterprise UK's prestigious Social Enterprise Awards 24!
The awards saw hundreds of entries over the 15 categories so this was a fantastic achievement.
The award recognises sector-leading excellence and innovation among businesses working towards positive social outcomes and environmental impact, so while they didn't win, Mastercall felt it was a real honour to be a finalist. Congratulations to all the team.
To submit content for the UHUK Newsletter, please complete the form or email content to sharon.clifton3@nhs.net Next edition; Autumn 2025
CONNECT & SHARE
First Pilot of new 111 Online Clinical Assessment Model
DHU Healthcare has become the first organisation in England to accept 111 Online primary care referrals into a Clinical Assessment Service, through its innovative Derbyshire Central Navigation Hub (CNH).
The DHU project, aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary trips for patients to A&E, Urgent Treatment Centres and Urgent Care Centres in Derbyshire, has proven to be a success during an initial pilot.
Launched in October 2024 for patients who have used 111 Online between 8am and 4pm and received advice to speak to a GP within one or two hours. Previously patients would need to contact their own GP practice and would often be unable to get an appointment within this short time-frame. This new service gives patients the option to speak to a clinician within DHU’s Central Navigation Hub (CNH). Patients are then called back within one or two hours.
The service has significantly improved access to urgent care advice, helping to avoid unnecessary visits to A&E and urgent treatment centres. In the first three months, over 75% of referrals were managed without needing a GP appointment, with patients receiving appropriate care through other parts of the system.
Dr Saurabh Johri, Regional Clinical Director for UEC and Primary Care at DHU, said: “More patients are assessed by a clinician within one or two hours, reducing the pressure on busy GP practices whilst ensuring these patients get the expert care and advice that they need more quickly.
“Through remodelling we have freed up the resources to run this service without additional cost to our commissioners.
“It is another way that we are able to ensure the patient gets the right treatment at the right place by the right person, which is what we need to help make the NHS and the wider health system run as efficiently as possible.”
Gemma Payne-Wright is DHU’s Service and Pathways Coordinator, she added: “Through DNH, services have become more accessible to those who really need them. Our clinicians work remotely providing a flexible service that can quickly adapt and respond to demand and patient needs. From our perspective, it’s about improving patient are while helping to alleviate pressure on the system, and it’s working.”
Lifesaving Equipment sent to Ukraine
DHU Healthcare has donated over 140 defibrillators and other vital clinical equipment to Ukraine, giving redundant but fully functional units a new lease of life on the front line.
Following a recent upgrade across its urgent and emergency care services in Leicestershire and Derbyshire, DHU identified a stock of older defibrillation units no longer required for UK use. Rather than dispose of them, one of DHU’s clinicians reached out to charities specialising in overseas medical aid.
Working with Walesby Forest and St Mary’s and St Martin’s Church in Blyth, the equipment was delivered to Ukraine in April 2025, where it is now in use supporting both civilian and military healthcare teams.
Carl Keeble, DHU Resuscitation Officer and Advanced Clinical Trainer, said: “These units are in excellent working condition and still have the potential to save lives. It’s hugely rewarding to know they’re making a real difference where they’re urgently needed.”
The donation also included equipment for managing trauma and haemorrhage—part of DHU’s broader commitment to sustainability and global health impact.
Urgent Care Summit
opportunity to gain vital insights, connect with like-minded professionals, and expand your understanding of the latest advancements in urgent healthcare.
Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025
Times: 09:00 - 17:00
Location: Westin London City
Agenda Highlights
Keynote Presentations from renowned healthcare leaders.
Interactive Panel Discussions exploring critical issues in urgent care.
Networking Opportunities over coffee breaks, lunch and end-of-day drinks and canapés
Driving the UHUK Innovation Strategy forward
We are delighted to announce that this month Tara-Lee Baohm joined the UHUK leadership team as Programme Director to work alongside our members and partners to take forward the delivery of our UHUK Innovation Strategy.
Tara-Lee is an accomplished Director with over 20 years’ experience in health, social care and work with the third sector. She specialises in change management, strategy development, service/pathway improvement and recovery with a proven ability to drive transformational programmes that yield tangible results. Tara-Lee has an in-depth knowledge of the Urgent and Emergency Care landscape having led the commissioning of UEC services, alongside delivery of large-scale transformation and innovation programmes with service providers, and across systems, on behalf of Integrated Care Boards.
On taking up the appointment, Tara-Lee said: 'It's great to be joining the UHUK team at such an exciting stage of their innovation journey. I look forward to collaborating with our members to take their innovation priorities forward to the next stage - together we will continue to trailblaze new and exciting approaches to delivery and deliver meaningful change for our provider members, their workforce and their patients.'
Service Improvement & Streamlining Project Steering Group
Following discussions at the Innovation Steering Group in May and the appointment of the project leadership team, we are now in a position to progress the inaugural meeting of the Service Improvement & Streamlining Project Steering Group.
We seeking representatives from across your organisations to be part of the Steering Group with a particular emphasis on representatives with particular roles/focus.
Please contact Tara-Lee if you are interested in getting involved in the innovation steering group.
FCMS: A Preventative, Community-Rooted Approach to Healthcare
FCMS, a UHUK member and pioneering social enterprise in northern England, is reshaping what healthcare can look like when prevention is taken seriously. Co-authored by our friends at Social Enterprise UK, Baxendale, and the King’s Fund, the case study highlights FCMS’s bold strategy: not just treating illness, but proactively tackling the social causes behind it
Key Highlights:
Community-first interventions
FCMS funds creative wellbeing initiatives—from a primary school café to youth confidence-building clubs—to address isolation, poverty, and broader health inequalities
Flexible service delivery
Through its Complex Lives programme, FCMS brings healthcare directly to marginalised groups: the homeless, asylum seekers, and people removed from GP registers
Investing in staff wellbeing
Staff are supported through a “Staff Wishes” fund, helping with practical needs—including car repairs, home maintenance, and even equipment to help someone launch their own business—all part of placing holistic health at the heart of the organisation
Members of UHUK came together on 28 May, in London, for an insightful and energising ‘work-in’ brilliantly hosted by Liz Cross, Liz Allen, and Tara Bryer from:
The purpose? To further develop a shared 'quality assurance framework' (working title) that clearly demonstrates the collective impact of UHUK’s social enterprise members on healthcare outcomes.
Building on previous benchmarking activity, this work marks a shift towards a more consistent and meaningful way of capturing outcomes and social value – one that reflects the realworld differences our members are making, both locally and at scale and
Values-driven culture
Guided by core values like being awesome, having fun, staying humble, and showing “oompf”, FCMS fosters a collaborative, innovative ethos that focuses on powerful, positive impact
Read the full case study to explore FCMS’s community investments, staff-first culture, and preventative healthcare philosophy in greater depth.
Check it out here via Social Enterprise UK & The King’s Fund: How social enterprise FCMS is transforming community care
UHUK – Quality Assured
has a clear line of sight to the national priorities of moving care into the community, preventing ill health and shifting from analogue to digital.
Members took time out of their busy schedules to participate in a lively and thought-provoking discussion. We explored the outcomes that matter most – now and in the years ahead –and how we can measure our success in achieving them. We identified clear next steps, both individually and collectively, and reaffirmed the value of working together, and building a robust evidence base for the sector.
We’re excited to continue this work and look forward to seeing how it shapes our shared approach to quality, impact, and continuous improvement.
The Connectives will be joining us at the CEO Workshop next month, as we explore further profit for purpose and our impact on people, place, prosperity and planet.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed so positively – and a special shout-out to our friends at Hempsons for generously providing the meeting space and lunch.
the connectives:
We’re a team of experienced consultants with a track record and personal experience at board, executive and senior leadership levels in commercial and social enterprises
& IMPROVE
CEO Leadership Workshop
In just a few days, UHUK’s member CEOs and leaders will meet in Ballymena, Antrim, for the annual CEO Leadership Workshop.
One of the key events in the UHUK calendar, it’s an opportunity for members to network with peers, explore key topics and benefit from taking a step back from the day job to consider strategic issues, forthcoming challenges and opportunities.
There’s a full agenda with the main aim of setting the strategic priorities for UHUK on behalf of its members for the next three years, ensuring these align with member’s needs, the changing NHS landscape and evolving healthcare policy developments.
We’ve got Liz Cross and The Connectives taking forward the Quality Framework, following on from a positive and productive session last month.
We’ve also got Simon Morioka from PPL, who’ll be sharing his insight on the emerging neighbourhood health operating model.
Adam Pike from Zone Nation will be talking to us about how we could position ourselves not just as care providers but as tech partners.
The final session of day one will be around opportunities to demonstrate our ability to join things up. Tim Davison of Mastercall and Paul Wright of OneAdvanced will be presenting their progress on RAE – the refining access to A&E Model that has been developed from an idea at last year’s CEO Workshop.
Day two will focus on securing agreement on outcomes from day one, as well as usual business updates.
We are looking forward to seeing you there, and for those of you who can’t make it, we’ll provide an update in the next issue of this newsletter.
Resources for Leadership Training
NHS Leadership Academy:
Programmes – Leadership Academy
The above link can help you to decide on the best programme for you, it contains core programmes and others can be found on the website.
Edward Jenner and the Healthcare Leadership model can be accessed through the Academy ID profile
There is also the Aspiring Chair Talent Programme – Leadership Academy
NHS Confed:
Become a Health and Care Women Leaders Network member
Delivered by the NHS Confederation, the Health and Care Women Leaders Network is a free network for all women working across health and care.
Become a BME Leadership Network member
Join a community working together to strengthen the voice of black and minority ethnic NHS leaders.
Kings Fund:
Leadership and organisational development
In Professional Development (INPD):
Leadership Skills Training Courses | Inperson & Virtual INPD
UHUK is securing a further deal with INPD for a member discount on their courses. Further information will be published on rates (contact hazel. harrison3@nhs.net if interested).
Medical Director’s Update – UHUK Clinical Forum
Dear colleagues,
I hope you’re all managing to soak up a bit of sunshine between shifts and that the only thing overheating this month is the weather, not your inbox!
I’m genuinely pleased to share an update on how we’re doing as a clinical group. Earlier this year, we set out three top priorities to tackle:
AI and Innovation – exploring the use of digital transcription and audit tools to enhance both efficiency and clinical quality.
CQC Readiness – ensuring we are prepared through shared learning, best practice exchange, and access to collective resources.
GP Training – looking at how we can improve the experience of GP trainees across our services by identifying where resource is needed and what can realistically be delivered within existing provisions.
In May, clinical colleagues joined workstreams based on their interests, and we had some really constructive early discussions. Several important themes emerged across all three areas:
1. How can we better engage with external bodies such as RCGP, NHSE, and CQC?
2. How do we make the most of our collective expertise to drive meaningful change?
3. Are there opportunities to reduce duplication, doing something once and sharing widely?
It also became clear that many of you were enthusiastic about more than one workstream, and given the natural overlap, we’ve decided to bring the workstreams back together under the umbrella of the UHUK Clinical Forum. This will allow us to coordinate more effectively and build momentum.
Thanks to the behind-the-scenes support from Hazel and Sarah, we now have a clear action plan in place to track our progress and stay focused on delivering tangible outcomes.
We’re already looking ahead to our next face-to-face Clinical Forum, likely in September. The last one was a great success—not just for the content, but for the opportunity to connect in person, so we’re hoping to build on that positive energy.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your ongoing commitment and to kindly ask that you continue prioritising Clinical Forum meetings and the associated work.
By working collectively, we can improve patient care, support one another, and make meaningful progress.
Dr Dawood Anwar, UHUK Medical Director
Social Enterprise UK Awards now open
The UK Social Enterprise Awards celebrate the pioneering organisations transforming lives and communities across the country. It’s a memorable evening where stories of impact, innovation and resilience take centre stage.
There are 15 award categories this year, with entries closing on 7 July 2025.
It’s a great opportunity not just to win a prestigious award, but to share your story, celebrate your team’s achievements, and showcase your impact on a national stage.
Enter here
UHUK Meeting Dates:
Clinical 15th July
F2F: 16th Sept
Directors 16th July
Chairs 22nd July HR 28th July CSO Network 5th Aug Comms 7th Aug
12th Aug
4th Sept
9th Sept
15th Sept GM 23rd Sept
Recognising the people at the heart of urgent care
At Urgent Health UK, we love celebrating the people who make our member organisations so special.
As well as our annual UHUK Awards for organisational excellence, we now offer three people-focused awards to shine a spotlight on individual commitment and service.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Launched last year, this award recognises employees of UHUK member organisations who have worked in NHS urgent care for 25 years or more. Nominations can be made at any time by the Chair or CEO of a member organisation.
Urgent Care Hero of the Year
These awards celebrate dedicated employees or contracted service providers (excluding board members/ directors) with at least 20 years' service in urgent care.
One nomination is permitted per organisation per award year, made by the Chair or CEO.
The deadline for 2026 nominations is 3 March 2026.
Commitment to Care Award
In response to member feedback, this new award will recognise exceptional commitment to urgent care and is open to employees or contracted service providers (excluding board members/directors) with 10 years’ service in urgent care. One nomination is permitted per organisation per award year, made by the Chair or CEO.
The deadline for 2025 nominations is 31 August 2025.
If you think anyone in your team is deserving of one of these awards, you can read the full criteria and submit a nomination online through the UHUK People Awards form
UHUK Celebrates Outstanding Contributions to Urgent Care
Earlier this year UHUK has recognised four exceptional individuals for their dedication, leadership, and compassion in delivering highquality care.
Presented at the UHUK Awards Best Practice Showcase, these inaugural awards celebrate the vital work being done across the sector, both by those leading transformational change and those going above and beyond in frontline care.
Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were given in recognition of long service and leadership:
Dr Fay Wilson, co-founder of Badger Health Group, was honoured for over four decades of innovation and leadership in urgent and primary care. A bold voice for patients and professionals alike, she has influenced national policy, championed equity, and reshaped the way urgent care is delivered.
Sheila Richardson, Senior Clinical Nurse Manager at Cumbria Health, received the award for her pioneering work in rural urgent care and advanced nursing. A trailblazer in non-medical prescribing and a mentor to countless Nurse Practitioners, Sheila has dedicated her career to improving access and outcomes in some of England’s most remote communities.
Two Urgent Care Hero Awards were also presented, celebrating individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, delivering exceptional care and support without holding formal leadership positions.
Sheilagh Armstrong, Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Mastercall Healthcare, was recognised for her work with people experiencing homelessness through Stockport’s Wellspring centre. Her holistic, person-centred approach has earned trust and improved access for some of the most marginalised individuals in society.
Maggie Brett, Clinical Patient Service Facilitator at DHU 111, was celebrated for her work in improving triage pathways, supporting colleagues, and championing compassionate, high-quality telephone-based care. Her insight and dedication have had a lasting impact on both patients and staff.
UHUK Chief Executive Conor Burke said: “These awards highlight the best of social enterprise urgent care, care that is innovative, inclusive, and rooted in community. Whether leading service transformation or quietly making a difference every day, these individuals embody the values we stand for. We are proud to celebrate their achievements on behalf of our members and the patients they serve.”
Showcasing Best Practice in Integrated Urgent Care
Inspiring examples of innovation, partnership, social value, and a commitment to patient safety and quality were shared at Urgent Health UK’s (UHUK) national showcase event in London on 3 April 2025.
UHUK members presented their award-winning projects from the 2024 UHUK Awards to an audience of integrated urgent care peers, NHS and NHS England representatives, and commercial partners.
The showcase demonstrated how social enterprise urgent care providers are responding swiftly and flexibly to the changing needs of the NHS and patients. From embracing new technology to co-designing services with communities, members are delivering high-quality, patient-centred care with measurable improvements in productivity, experience, and outcomes — all while maintaining a strong focus on staff wellbeing and social impact.
The event aimed to promote best practice sharing among providers and to highlight to commissioners and policymakers the very real difference UHUK members are making at a community level.
Showcased projects included:
• Increasing system capacity through improved booking systems
• Introducing cloud-based telephony and SMS to enhance engagement and patient care
• Transforming streaming through cultural change, training, and process improvement
• Developing urgent and primary care hubs in partnership
• Tackling health inequalities through innovation,
Conor Burke, Chief Executive of UHUK, said: “It never fails to amaze me what our members are delivering — inspiring examples of innovation and best practice that show the collective impact of social enterprise providers in integrated urgent care.
“This was our second showcase event, and the response was fantastic. Delegates really valued the opportunity to hear from peers, share ideas, and collaborate on shared challenges. Award winners were able to demonstrate with data the impact of their work and their essential role in 24/7, technology-enabled care coordination.
“It was clear that our members are reaching beyond urgent care and doing lots around population health management and workforce development and other initiatives which will be fundamental in the shift towards neighbourhood health.
“Our members are breaking down barriers, increasing productivity, and reducing pressure on acute trusts, ambulance services, and A&E departments. Their work shows what’s possible when integration across community providers, primary care, and social care is prioritised, and when the benefits of technology are fully embraced.”
The UHUK Awards 2025 – Celebrating what makes us different
Every day, UHUK members go above and beyond to keep people well, cared for, and out of hospital – often with little recognition. The UHUK Awards are our chance to change that.
These are your awards – created to celebrate the bold ideas, the quiet revolutions, the teamwork, the leadership, and the tech that helps patients get the right care, closer to home.
If you or your team have made something better, supported your workforce, improved patient care, or partnered in new ways – you should be recognised. Big or small, if it made a difference, we want to hear about it.
Key Dates
30 May – Submissions open
4 August – Submissions close
w/c 29 August – Shortlist announced
15 October – Awards Ceremony at the UHUK Annual Conference Dinner
March 2026 – Winners Showcase in London
Judging
We have secured the Awards Trust Mark Outstanding accreditation for this years awards, giving you additional assurance of a robust judging procedure. Your entries will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges with expertise in urgent care, operations, strategy, technology – plus a patient voice.
Award Categories (the kind of stories we are looking for)
Please note following feedback from the UHUK Comms Group, we are changing the award category names to give them more meaning – original name in brackets. The award criteria remain the same and you should read thoroughly before submitting.
People First Award (Workforce)
Stronger Together Award (Partnership)
Equity in Healthcare Award (Health Inequalities)
Making a Difference Award (Social Impact)
Outstanding engagement and involvement Award (Patient Engagement)
Innovation in Action Award (General Innovation)
Digital Impact Award (Technological Innovation)
Excellence in Operational Safety Award (Quality and Safety - Operational)
Clinical Safety Leadership Award (Quality and Safety – Clinical)
Ready to tell your story?
Whether it's a grassroots project or a big service change, your work deserves to be recognised.
Click here for full entry criteria and submission forms – and don’t forget, the deadline is 4 August 2025
Good luck everyone.
Winners of the 2024 Awards
Together we are the largest social enterprise provider of outof-hospital services including;
• NHS 111 call centres
• Other call centre services
• Medical out-of-hours services
• Booking and referral services
• Emergency dental services
• GP practices
• Admissions avoidance schemes
• Urgent care centres
• Walk-in centres
• Community nursing and other community based services
• Sexual health services
• Offender health services
• Urgent Mental health services
• Military health services
• Homeless support services
We serve 64% of the population of the UK and Ireland (excluding Scotland)
UHUK Purpose:
To build our collective capability so we provide exceptional integrated and urgent primary care and the very best possible health outcomes to more people through Social Enterprise.
Services to members
We operate as a federation of social enterprise healthcare providers enabling members to benefit by working together and effectively being part of a much larger organisation.
Our services to members can be summarised as follows;
• Quality audit and benchmarking by external NHS auditors against agreed outcome focused quality standards
• Purchasing consortium which generates savings for members
• Market intelligence – analysis of our markets, identifying business opportunities and comparing prices
• Sharing of information and resources through discussion forums, workshops and the annual conference.
• Joint public relations initiatives
• Joint National representation initiatives (e.g. on The Five Year Forward View, NHS 111, Social Enterprise in Health)
Contact Us:
Business Manager, & Company Secretary:
Hazel Harrison - hazel.harrison3@nhs.net
Tel: 07841 337631
www.uhuk.co.uk
Membership: Current members include:
• Badger Birmingham area
• BrisDoc Bristol
• Cumbria Health Cumbria
• Dalriada Urgent Care Northern Ireland
• DHU Health Care Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Midlands
• EBPC OOH East Berkshire
• FCMS (NW) Ltd North Lancashire
• FedBucks Buckinghamshire
• GMUPCA Manchester, Bury & Stockport
Alliance consisting of:
• BARDOC
• GTD
• Mastercall Healthcare
• Salford Primary Care Together (SPCT)
• IC24 Suffolk, Essex & Sussex
• LCW UCC West & Central London
• Local Care Direct West Yorkshire
• NEMS CBS Nottinghamshire
• NHUC Hampshire
• PC24 Merseyside
• PELC Ltd East London
• SELDOC South East London
• Shropdoc Shropshire & Powys
• Suffolk GP Federation Suffolk
• Taurus Healthcare Herefordshire
• Western Urgent Care Belfast
Associate Members:
• Northdoc Medical North Dublin City & County Services
• Welsh Health Boards
The People:
Chair
Nigel Gazzard
Chief Executive Conor Burke
Medical Director Dr Dawood Anwar
Non-Executives
Stephen Bateman
Michaela Buck
Matt Adam (independent)
Partnerships Director Tonia Culpin
Business Manager
Business Coordinator
Hazel Harrison
Sarah Fletcher
Comms Advisor Sharon Clifton
Project Coordinator Tara-Lee Baohm