News

NHS sets out COVID-19 recovery plan for patient care and staff wellbeing

The NHS is accelerating the delivery of operations and other non-urgent services as part of a £8.1 billion plan to help the health service recover all patient services following the intense winter wave of COVID. The money, which is set out in the NHS Operational Planning Guidance published today, will also fund more support for […]

Read more

NHS boosts support for pregnant black and ethnic minority women

The NHS is rolling out additional support for pregnant Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAME) women, as new research shows heightened risks facing women from minority groups. Analysis out today shows Black pregnant women are eight times more likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, while Asian women are four times as likely. Urgent […]

Read more

NHS action saves 3,000 more babies’ lives

The NHS in England is saving hundreds more babies’ lives every year than a decade ago, with thousands more to be saved thanks to the Long Term Plan and ongoing action to make services safer. Professor Jaqueline Dunkley-Bent, the first-ever NHS chief midwifery officer, has praised improvements to local maternity services which saw a reduction […]

Read more

Quit smoking advice for pregnant women in NHS drive to prevent stillbirths

Pregnant women are to be offered specialist stop smoking referrals as part of NHS action to reduce stillbirths, which has already resulted in at least 160 babies’ lives being saved. Following the success of a programme introduced in 2015 which saw 20% fewer babies dying at birth, NHS England has today confirmed that the scheme […]

Read more

Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England

New and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced today. The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should […]

Read more

First Chief Midwife appointed to drive world-class NHS care for new mums

The NHS has appointed England’s first Chief Midwife to improve care for new and expectant mothers and their children and promote safer births as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, announced today that Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent will be the first to take on the new role, to […]

Read more