Premature babies are to be routinely offered a “life-changing” treatment to prevent blindness on the NHS for the first time, the head of the health service has announced today. The drug, ranibizumab, could save the eyesight of babies born with a condition known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which affects blood vessels in the retina, […]

We are pleased to announce that Kate Brintworth has been appointed to the role of Chief Midwifery Officer for England. This follows a rigorous recruitment process, which included contributions from colleagues at NHS England and other key stakeholders including the Royal College of Midwives and a family voices panel. Providing safer and more personalised maternity […]

Pregnant women with serious medical problems will now have access to specialist treatment centres across the country. The 17 new centres of excellence will help women with pre-existing medical conditions, or conditions that arise during pregnancy to quickly get the extra care they might need. As part of the NHS commitment to halve the maternal […]

Midwives and other NHS staff have helped almost 15,000 mums-to-be in England quit smoking over just three years, new analysis shows today. Latest figures show that the smoking rate for pregnant women at the time of birth fell to 9.1% in 2021-22, the lowest annual rate on record, and down from 10.6% prior to the […]

England’s top doctor and the Chief Nurse for England have been recognised alongside dozens of healthcare staff in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours List. Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director since 2018 and a doctor for 37 years, has been knighted for his services to the NHS, particularly for his role leading the response […]

NHS England has confirmed that Donna Ockenden has been appointed as Chair of the new independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. In a letter to families affected today, NHS Chief Operating Officer Sir David Sloman confirmed that Donna Ockenden has accepted the role of chair of the rapid review. The […]

Up to 500 new midwives from around the world are set to join maternity teams across the country under a new NHS England initiative. As part of the NHS’s Maternity Workforce programme and its new Maternity International Recruitment Programme, midwives have been recruited from various countries, including Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Italy, India and the Philippines and […]

A life-saving test that allows doctors to spot a rare form of eye cancer in babies in the womb is being rolled out by the NHS in England this week. Now, thanks to a new NHS test developed at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, babies identified as being at risk of developing retinoblastoma […]

The NHS in England has today announced a £127 million funding boost for maternity services across England that will help ensure safer and more personalised care for women and their babies. Announced at the NHS England board meeting today, the NHS said that the major investment will boost the workforce and help improve the culture in […]

Midwives with years of service will be encouraged to support the next generation of maternity staff, the NHS announced today. The £8 million scheme could see experienced midwifery professionals act as mentors for new or returning midwives, with newly created positions across maternity units nationwide, England’s Chief Midwife said today. These new positions would see […]