The NHS is set to take another major step towards improving patient access to mental health services with the introduction of five new waiting time guarantees, under plans set out today. The proposals could ensure that patients requiring urgent care will be seen by community mental health crisis teams within 24 hours of referral, with […]

Every mum to be will be able to access their maternity records on their smart phones, England’s Chief Nurse announced today. Speaking at the NHS Confederation Conference, Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May, said “bulky paper records would soon be banished” and pregnant women will be able to access information on their pregnancy at […]

Health MOTs at NHS vaccination services, pharmacies and clinics are set to save thousands of lives, the health service’s Chief Operating Officer announced today. Speaking at the NHS Confederation Conference, Amanda Pritchard set out how the health service will make ‘every contact count’ by rolling out opportunities for health checks at times when patients already […]

An ‘artificial pancreas’ designed to revolutionise the life of people with Type 1 diabetes will be provided by the NHS, 100 years after the discovery of insulin, health service chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced today. Speaking at NHS Confederation’s conference this morning, Sir Simon said that up to 1,000 patients will benefit from a […]

Three quarters of people with a learning disability aged 14 and over have received an annual health check two years ahead of an NHS Long Term Plan target. People with a learning disability who often find it difficult to spot or communicate symptoms can get a full health MOT from their GP who can quickly […]

Thousands of ambulance crews across the country will be provided with body cameras as part of an NHS crackdown to reduce attacks on staff. The introduction of the cameras comes alongside data that 3,569 ambulance staff were physically assaulted by the public last year – 30% more than five years ago. Following successful trials in […]

More than a million children and young people will have access to mental health support at school, as the NHS rapidly expands services to help deal with the huge disruption caused by coronavirus and lockdown. From this year, teams of experts are offering support to children experiencing anxiety, depression, and other common mental health issues. […]

The NHS is rolling out revolutionary technology to diagnose and treat around 100,000 patients with suspected heart disease, five times faster than normal. Known as HeartFlow, the latest innovation delivered as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, turns a regular CT scan of the heart into a 3D image allowing doctors to diagnose life-threating […]

The NHS is using Facebook to reach millions of men aged 40 and over who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, to help them to change their lifestyle and avoid the condition. The Facebook adverts will highlight the increased risk among white men of this age and encourage them to sign up for […]

A small, portable device that can zap away excruciating headaches is now available to anyone who needs it on the NHS. The gadget is held against the neck and delivers a low-level electric current to block pain signals, relieving pain from people suffering from ‘cluster’ headaches. NHS England is expanding the use of gammaCore after […]