The NHS and government have today set out a blueprint to address backlogs built up during the COVID pandemic and tackle long waits for care with a massive expansion in capacity for tests, checks and treatments. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard and Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid announced that the health service will […]

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “We still had around 70,000 NHS staff off sick each day last week, as the number of ambulances taking patients to A&E was up again on the previous seven days, making it the busiest week since the start of December. “Despite this, hardworking staff are doing everything […]

People aged 16 and over who are severely immunosuppressed can book their booster online from today (Monday 31 January). The online booking system has been updated to allow booster bookings for severely immunosuppressed people. There are around 400,000 people who are severely immunosuppressed who are eligible for a fourth jab  – at least three months […]

The NHS vaccination programme will begin to roll out to children aged between 5 and 11 who are most at risk of COVID-19 this week, as the health service’s drive to protect the country from the virus continues. Children aged 5 -11 who are in a clinical risk group or who live with someone who […]

England’s top doctor is reminding people who had COVID-19 over Christmas to get boosted now if they haven’t already done so, as the biggest and fastest NHS vaccination programme continues at pace.  In December, more than four million people in England tested positive for COVID and would have been unable to get their vaccine for […]

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “While it is positive to see more NHS staff back at work, pressure on the NHS is still intense, having seen the busiest week for ambulances taking patients to A&E since the start of December – up almost 2,000 on the week before last – all while […]

The NHS will provide patients with hundreds of thousands more dental appointments, thanks to a £50 million funding injection. Funding will secure up to 350,000 additional dental appointments allowing people suffering from oral pain, disease, and infection to get the care they need, as services drive back to pre-pandemic levels. Children, people with learning disabilities, […]

People struggling to lose weight will now be offered help from their local high street pharmacy as part of the NHS’s radical action to tackle rising obesity levels and type 2 diabetes. Community pharmacy teams can now refer adults living with obesity, and other conditions, to the twelve-week online NHS weight management programme. People are […]

Jab cabs, booster buses and local initiatives including a walk-in clinic at V’s Punjabi Grill in Kent are helping to protect thousands of people from COVID as part of the NHS vaccination programme’s drive to increase uptake by making the vaccine as accessible for all as possible. The ‘jab cabs’ are taking people to vaccine […]

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Even though the numbers are going in the right direction, NHS staff will have many tough months ahead as they continue to deliver patient care while managing competing demands. “While staff absences remain high and continue to increase in some parts of the country, it is good […]