From today almost a million more people (900,000) will become eligible for a shingles vaccination, on the same day that the HPV vaccine moves to a single dose for under 25s. The NHS has updated two of its life-saving vaccination programmes, following the latest advice by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which […]

More than 425,000 patients have used a new national online service to register with a GP in its first year. The Register with a GP surgery service, which is managed by NHS England, means NHS patients have been benefiting from easier and more convenient access to GP registration since it was launched in August 2022. […]

Hundreds of thousands of patients could benefit from a quicker diagnosis for a range of respiratory and heart conditions, through ambitious new NHS plans for fast-tracked tests and checks. As part of measures announced by the NHS today to speed up detection of major health problems, GP practices will be able to directly order diagnostic […]

Millions of patients will receive quicker, more convenient access to NHS care from their high street pharmacy, thanks to a major expansion of services under a radical plan to improve access to primary care. For the first time ever, patients who need prescription medication will be able to get it directly from a pharmacy, without […]

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care again this bank holiday weekend, and is urging the public to use services wisely as industrial action enters its sixth month. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced strike action, starting on Sunday at 8pm and finishing on Monday at midnight. Following the recent junior doctors […]

GPs and pharmacists have helped cut opioid prescriptions in England by 450,000 in under four years, latest data shows, as the NHS today unveils a new action plan to crack down on the overuse of potentially-addictive medicines. The new framework for local health and care providers aims to further reduce inappropriate prescribing of high-strength painkillers […]

The NHS has issued a call for anyone eligible for cervical screening to come forward for a potentially life-saving appointment, with nearly a third, around 4.6 million, not taking up their latest test. The plea from senior NHS medics comes on the back of the health service sending a record number of invites for cervical […]

The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency. […]

People should continue to come forward for the care they need during industrial action, the NHS has said today. Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle said it is “vital” they come forward for emergency care during strikes. The call follows messaging issued by the NHS last week across NHS websites and social media telling patients […]

Tens of thousands of cancers could be detected sooner each year thanks to a national roll out of fast-track testing, NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard will announce today. NHS England is expanding direct access to diagnostic scans across all GP practices, helping cut waiting times and speeding up a cancer diagnosis or all-clear for patients. […]