Thousands of people affected and infected by the contaminated blood scandal in England will be able to self-refer from today for psychological treatment from a bespoke new NHS service. The nationwide service, which began treating its first patients last September, will include access to talking therapies, peer support and psychosocial support, as well as other […]
Patients will receive better, faster and more appropriate emergency care as the government sets out reforms to shorten waiting times and tackle persistently failing trusts. The new package of investment and reforms will improve patients’ experiences this year, including by caring for more patients in the community, rather than in hospital which is often worse […]
Around 3 in 4 patients find it easy to contact a GP, up more than 10% since last summer as the NHS drives to improve access. Almost every (99%) GP practice in England now has a digital telephone system in place to make it easier for people to get through to their family doctor. Office […]
Tens of thousands of people have volunteered to help the NHS over the last year, according to new figures. From people in their late teens to those in their late eights volunteers have helped with tasks such as directing loved ones around hospitals, collecting medication or basic admin tasks. Around 70,000 people volunteer with the […]
Tens of thousands of patients with lung and breast cancer are to benefit from a “revolutionary” blood test on the NHS across England which can speed up access to targeted therapy. The new ‘liquid biopsy’ test can help fast-track lung cancer patients to receive targeted therapy up to two weeks earlier, while helping some avoid […]
More than 5 million patients have received help from high street pharmacies for minor illnesses, as the NHS brings care closer to people’s homes. Around 2.4 million people received help without booking an appointment at their local pharmacy for seven common conditions including sore throat, earache or shingles. Pharmacies delivered the most consultations for acute […]
A record 166,360 more adults in England began receiving support last year from a world-leading NHS public health initiative, which helps people lose weight and make lifestyles changes to stop or delay them developing Type 2 diabetes, according to new data. The analysis also shows that more than 900,000 adults at high risk of developing […]
Millions of patients can now track their prescriptions thanks to the rollout of a new feature in the NHS App helping to reduce unnecessary calls and visits to pharmacies. NHS England today announced that nearly 1,500 high street chemists – including every Boots in England – are now offering the service, which enables patients to […]
Thousands of gonorrhoea cases could be prevented over the next decade thanks to the NHS’ world-first vaccination programme against the infection. Eligible patients, which includes gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), will start to be offered the vaccine through local authority-commissioned sexual […]
All new patients registering at GP practices are to be asked if they had a blood transfusion before 1996, as part of an NHS drive to find undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal. Each year, around 400,000 people born before 1996 – around half of new sign-ups online – will now be asked […]