Children and young people

NHS England strikes deal on life-saving gene-therapy drug that can help babies with rare genetic disease move and walk

A life-saving drug that can enable mobility in babies and young children suffering from a rare genetic condition will be available on the NHS, chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced today. Zolgensma, which has a reported list price of £1.79 million per dose and is labelled the most expensive drug in the world, will be […]

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NHS encourages children and young people to seek help as new data shows rise in mental health problems

England’s top children and young people’s mental health doctor is encouraging youngsters to seek help if they need it, as NHS Digital’s new survey shows there has been a rise in mental health problems in children and young people during the pandemic. The survey shows one in six children and young people had a probable […]

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NHS announces independent review into gender identity services for children and young people

The NHS has today announced that Dr Hilary Cass OBE, former President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, will lead an independent review into gender identity services for children and young people. The review will be wide-ranging in scope looking into several aspects of gender identity services, with a focus on how […]

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NHS urges public to get essential vaccines despite coronavirus outbreak

NHS England is urging people to attend all regular vaccination appointments to prevent outbreaks of serious diseases and reduce pressure on the health service. The NHS is continuing to help people to manage illness linked to coronavirus, but is still urging parents to bring children forward for lifesaving jabs to stop killer diseases like measles […]

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First patients begin gene therapy treatment for blindness as part of NHS Long Term Plan

The first patients have received a revolutionary new gene therapy that can restore eyesight as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Babies born with an inherited retinal disorder, known as Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), have poor sight which swiftly deteriorates, with many ultimately losing their vision completely in childhood. The life-changing treatment for children […]

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Country’s top mental health nurse warns video games pushing young people into ‘under the radar’ gambling

NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch has today called on gaming companies to crack down on gambling addiction risks by banning loot boxes from their products. Ms Murdoch has warned video game firms that they risk “setting kids up for addiction” by building gambling tasks into their games. In response to growing concerns about addiction […]

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