The NHS will be able to prescribe cannabidiol to patients with a rare, seizure-causing genetic disorder in England from today (Tuesday) after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued final guidance recommending its use. Around one in every 6,000 people suffer from tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that causes seizures, which severely affect […]

Patients are set to receive an enhanced NHS 111 offer including increased access to specialist paediatric advice for children and direct access to urgent mental health support, as part of a blueprint set out today to help recover urgent and emergency care services. Parents and carers seeking health advice for children and young people using […]

The NHS and the government will publish a new blueprint today to help recover urgent and emergency care services, reduce waiting times, and improve patient experience. Frontline capacity will be boosted further thanks to 800 new ambulances, including 100 specialist mental health vehicles, and 5,000 more sustainable hospital beds backed by a £1 billion dedicated […]

Issued at 11:55am on Saturday 28 January 2023. Temperatures/weather conditions are not expected to exceed cold weather alert threshold criteria in any region from midday on Saturday 28 January until further notice. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more about staying well this winter. […]

The NHS has this week launched a major drive to reduce hundreds of thousands of missed hospital appointments every month, to help boost the recovery of elective services. As part of the biggest and most ambitious catch-up programme in NHS history, hospitals have been asked to ensure they are sending timely appointment reminders, improving processes […]

Ambulance waits outside A&E reduced despite thousands more people being taken to hospital last week and continued pressures across the NHS, new figures show today. The weekly winter data, published today, shows ambulances transported 77,937 patients to A&Es across the country last week, up from 72,009 the week before. Despite the increase in patients, fewer […]

The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their COVID booster before the offer, part of the biggest and most successful programme in health history, ends next month. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has today advised that, thanks to the success of the programme, the offer of an initial booster dose […]

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 […]

Issued at 8:58am on Monday 23 January 2023. There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions between 9am on Monday 23 January and 9am on Friday 27 January in parts of England.  This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Find out more […]

Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s ambulance strikes NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “As with other ambulance strikes the message to patients remains that it is vital to come forward and seek emergency care if needed. “This includes calling 999 for life threatening emergencies as well as using 111 online for other health needs […]