Michael Wood

I love an explore. Ticked Stockton off the list today, discovering more about their regen plans and how health is front and centre (involves a CDC, innovation zone, tech investment, med school, public realm, housing etc). Thanks to the council for inviting me up and showing me around.

Very much looking forward to the 4th webinar in our series with Michael @nhslocalgrowth.bsky.social.

The radical plan for a futuristic age-friendly neighbourhood in Manchester £1.5bn of funding has been granted to transform a hospital into a neighbourhood designed for people to thrive as they age

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Really interesting visit to a prison today to understand better their manufacturing capability. Lots of opportunities and plenty to ponder…

Want to know how to work better with partners in education to advance the goals of the NHS, particularly in terms of developing a long-term talent pool?

Join our webinar on 23 April, where Michael @nhslocalgrowth.bsky.social will be joined by representatives from a school, college and University.

Integrated Settlements for 2025 to 2026 Details of Integrated Settlements for 2025 to 2026

Today is a major landmark in English devolution.

Greater Manchester and the West Midlands will take control of over £1bn of funding devolved from central government on areas like transport, housing and employment support.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Reimagining working with universities, colleges and schools This webinar, the third in a new series, looks at how NHS trusts can successfully work with educational institutions.

Already looking forward to the next @nhsconfed.org local growth webinar on 23 April. Register now! www.nhsconfed.org/events/reima...

The focus of NHS London’s emerging anchor work on social finance and new forms of investment is a great example of what the region can do and in a way that helps local Trusts and other parts of the country. The Wolverhampton £ shows a local approach that needs broad buy-in but matters. Both superb!

It's not an afterthought but the very 'what, who and how' of local transformation. Whether neighbourhood policy or Devolution - this is how we influence and support developments. Relationships are key, obvs, and the anchor agenda will be at the heart of whatever comes our way.

Really enjoyed the second @nhsconfed.org Local Growth webinar today. I get the easy task of asking the questions. We had great presentations from NHS leaders in Wolverhampton and in London. Very different places but common vision and approach. Anchor work vital in rapidly changing world.

Your role in an anchor system This webinar, the second in a new series, looks at what it really means to be an anchor institution and how to practically maximise impact.

Do come along later if you want to hear about great local NHS anchor work www.nhsconfed.org/events/your-...

It was a pleasure to be invited to speak at this webinar.

If it’s good enough for Taylor Swift then it’s good enough for me, @jonathan-werran.bsky.social and the @localis.bsky.social team.

This is a good session on @wigancouncil.bsky.social’s new strategy. Missions at the heart and useful slides showing links to the various local strategies.

Two very different visits yesterday - a primary school in Walworth and then straight to Apple’s new HQ at Battersea Power Station - yet a similar agenda. Prevention, place and partnership. Health a key issue for leaders locally and globally.

Devolution Priority Programme consultations launch Government seeks views of people in six areas on proposals to establish mayoral combined (county) authorities.

Great news across the North today with funding confirmed for projects like British Library North in Leeds and the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool as well as devolution deals starting consultation for Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria.

Consultations: www.gov.uk/government/n...

Unitary local government A briefing on unitary local government in England, proposals for creating new unitary authorities, Government policy, historical practice, and academic analysis

Concerned about the future of your council, and wondering about the Government's reorganisation proposals? Find out more, including details of previous reorganisations, evaluations (or lack thereof) and international research at commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets Combined authorities told to expect reductions in 'already deeply diminished' adult skills funding

'The secretary of state calls her department the “department for opportunity”, but the evidence points to a ‘department for missed opportunities’ on her watch'

feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...

Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas Invitation letters to local authority two-tier areas.

The Government has written to England's authorities in two-tier areas and invited them to submit proposals for reorganisation: www.gov.uk/government/p...

Devolution revolution: six areas to elect Mayors for first time Deputy Prime Minister brings six areas onto the Devolution Priority Programme with Mayors to be elected by May 2026 plus four new devolved institutions created.

Announcement on Devo Priority Programme. 6 areas stretching from Cumbria, down through Cheshire/Warrington, across to Norfolk/Suffolk and then south to Essex, Sussex and Hampshire. Lots of work to do to get Mayors running in a year. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Integrated Settlements for 2025 to 2026 Details of Integrated Settlements for 2025 to 2026

Today marks the first integrated settlement for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, a landmark moment in our ambitious devolution agenda to empower local leaders and bring decision making closer to communities.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

West London tonight. 🤞 for a Rovers away win.

What should local Health, Work and Skills plans focus on? Big questions which every local area will be asking in coming months. Good to start the day in Stevenage as we filmed the Get Hertfordshire Working webinar. System working, aligning policy and funding, connecting communities and employers.

*Lots* of merger talk in higher ed. This article shines a light on both the strategic principles behind one and the practicalities involved. Also interesting that health played a key role in the London merger.

On 1 May voters will be heading to the polls to elect the mayors of the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Hull and East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire.

At the @instituteforgov.bsky.social we have been building a picture of the candidates they will be choosing between. 🧵

Spoke at the launch of the FE and Lifelong Learning APPG yesterday about this report and the value of the college - NHS relationship. NHS leaders, give the report a read and drop your local college principal a line. 👇

Then to KwikScreen - one of the successes of the borough’s Creative Enterprise Zone. Located in Lewisham to manufacture mobile medical screens. Global player and local employer. All made on site and other local creatives can use the space and the machinery. NHS is a key part of supporting start-ups.

Visits the best part of the job. Monday saw a tour of Lewisham courtesy of @lewishamcouncil.bsky.social Economic Dev Team. Started at @lgtnhs.bsky.social to sample amazing Gaff coffee/food. Council supported trust to bring community focused provider into unused space. Staff and local people love it.

Be sure to sign-up for our new series on Health Economic Partnerships led by our in-house expert Michael Wood @nhslocalgrowth.bsky.social

Monthly webinars with space for discussion on all things to do with health, economic growth, devolution, and the role of NHS trusts.

Excited about this forthcoming @nhsconfed.bsky.social webinar series looking at all things local growth. Tailored for CEOs, Chairs and Directors of NHS trusts. Sign up and find out why this agenda matters and what you can do. First one in February! t.co/h14RJvdLTv