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News
Patients to benefit from faster, more convenient care, under major new GP access recovery plan
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 […]
Life-critical care a priority for the NHS as strike action disrupts services over the bank holiday
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 […]
Opioid prescriptions cut by almost half a million in four years as NHS continues crackdown
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 […]
NHS urges women to book a cervical screening as a third don’t take up vital offer
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 […]
NHS sets out advice for the public during industrial action
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. […]
NHS tells patients to continue to access emergency care during industrial action
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 […]
NHS gives GP teams direct access to tests to speed up cancer diagnosis
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. […]
High street pharmacists treat thousands more people for minor illnesses
More than 100,000 patients were seen by their high street pharmacist in just one month according to new NHS figures, helping people get the quick care they need as well as easing pressure on GP teams facing record demand. In June, 118,123 people with minor illnesses such as a sore throat or constipation, or those […]
NHS set to boost GP workforce ahead of winter
Thousands more staff will be recruited to new roles in General Practice, so family doctors’ time can be freed up to see more patients during winter, the NHS has announced today. More than one thousand GP assistants will be recruited to practices from this month to offer more admin support with the roles already proven […]
GP surgeries to provide specialist mental health support
Thousands of new mental health experts will be on hand to support people in their local GP practice amid record demand for services, the head of the NHS announced today. Fully trained experts from local NHS trusts will offer people with severe mental health problems such as bipolar, psychosis or eating disorders, a consultation, treatment, […]