Every major hospital will provide urgent same day services to improve care for patients and cut unnecessary admissions by next winter, NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said today. Many hospitals are already providing comprehensive care without admitting patients who come to A&E with conditions such as pneumonia or other breathing difficulties through same […]

A leading GP and one of England’s foremost health experts have been chosen to co-chair a new forum which will help oversee the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan. Following a nationally-advertised recruitment process, Dr Clare Gerada has been appointed as clinical chair, and Professor Sir Chris Ham as non-clinical chair, of the NHS […]

The NHS has today launched a call for views on how targeted amendments to the law could help local and national health organisations work together more effectively to improve services for patients. At a joint board meeting of NHS England and NHS Improvement, national leaders of the NHS approved a series of proposals for legal […]

Hundreds of people will receive therapy to counteract the impact of harmful social media, as part of a new NHS service for the rare eating disorder diabulimia. Patients will be coached to deal with unrealistic body images amid increasing concerns about the potential damage social media can have on young peoples’ mental health. Diabulimia is […]

A pioneering advice line staffed by midwives has seen tens of thousands of new and expectant mothers get guidance on labour, breastfeeding, sleep and other health problems. Women can get advice over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days per year from the Surrey Heartlands Pregnancy Advice Line. The dedicated phone line is one […]

Professor Sir Mike Richards has today launched a major overhaul of cancer screening as part the NHS Long Term Plan’s renewed drive to improve care and save lives. Early detection of cancer, while the condition is easier to treat, is central to the plan which aims to prevent tens of thousands more deaths each year. […]

NHS chief Simon Stevens has today challenged vehicle manufacturers to help “blue lights go green” and cut air pollution by developing more environmentally friendly ambulances. With polluted air causing cancer, lung disease and heart problems and contributing to around 40,000 deaths each year, the NHS England chief executive pledged that the health service will step […]

GP practices in Gloucestershire are working together to provide 100,000 more appointments for patients. The extra appointments, across the county’s 75 practices, will be mainly provided by GPs and nurses over the next year; and clinical pharmacists, paramedics, mental health workers and physiotherapists are also now working in local surgeries, offering a greater range of […]

Pharmacists will take on an expanded role at the heart of local primary care networks across the country, NHS England has confirmed. Following the new GP contract published today, patients across England will be able to get faster expert advice about their prescriptions and other treatment, with clinical pharmacists part of core practice teams. Following […]

A new five-year contract for general practice across England will see billions of extra investment for improved access to family doctors, expanded services at local practices and longer appointments for patients who need them. The deal – the biggest reform to GP services in fifteen years – is due to be approved by NHS England […]