Hundreds of thousands of text messages will be sent by the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination programme this week reminding people to bring forward their second dose appointment. Around 650,000 texts will be sent encouraging people to get their second jab eight weeks after their first, in line with updated guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination […]

Ambulance trusts in England will be given an extra £55 million to boost staff numbers ahead of winter, the NHS announced today. The funding will help the services to recruit more 999 call handlers, crews and clinicians to work in control rooms. It will also cover the recruitment and retention of liaison officers who manage […]

A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued on the risk of inappropriate anticoagulation of patients with a mechanical heart valve. National Patient Safety Alert – Inappropriate anticoagulation of patients with a mechanical heart valve About this alert All patients with prosthetic mechanical heart valves require life-long oral anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), […]

‘Skin snaps’ and rapid tests for same day diagnosis are among a package of measures to get more people checked for cancer, the NHS said today. The NHS is investing £20 million to speed up the rollout of these plans, so that thousands more people can get potentially lifesaving cancer checks. ‘Teledermatology’ is being used […]

As England prepare for the Euro 2020 final the country’s top doctor has urged everyone to “be a team player” and get their NHS COVID vaccination. The number of people who have received at least one jab could fill Wembley Stadium, which will host the game against Italy, more than 425 times over. The NHS […]

The number of people waiting longer than 18 and 52 weeks to begin non-urgent treatment has fallen significantly despite record numbers of people attending A&E in June, NHS figures today reveal. Patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for elective care dropped by more than 80,000 while those waiting more than a year fell by 50,000 […]

Mental health phonelines run by the NHS have answered around three million calls during the pandemic. The dedicated 24/7 NHS mental health crisis helplines were fast-tracked to open a year ago so everyone could get rapid care they need without having to go to A&E. Most of the callers are able to receive treatment over […]

Research teams at Oxford University who joined forces to fight coronavirus by developing a COVID vaccine in record time are among the winners of this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards, sponsored by Fuji Film. The awards, arranged by the NHS, are designed to recognise, and celebrate some of the biggest achievements in health and social care. […]

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS Chief Executive, speaking at a special service of commemoration and thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral today (Monday 5 July), the anniversary of the health service’s foundation, said: Here in St Paul’s, we are reminded of extraordinary lives. Here are the tombs and memorials of Nelson and Wellington, Florence Nightingale and Alexander […]

The country’s top nurse, most senior doctor and the leader of other health professionals have issued a joint call for people to consider joining the NHS, as health chiefs gather to mark a year like no other, on the 73rd anniversary of the service’s foundation. Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May, NHS national medical director Professor […]