A revolutionary targeted drug for lung cancer will be made available to anyone who is eligible, thanks to a new drug deal, the head of the NHS announced today. Sotorasib targets a genetic mutation, dubbed the ‘death star’, by medics and scientists, and has been proven during trials to prevent lung cancer from growing for […]

Thousands of new NHS reservists will be recruited to support the health service as staff tackle COVID-19 backlogs, the head of the NHS announced today. Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive urged the public to enlist as an NHS reservist, with a wide range of opportunities available, including assisting people who are being discharged from hospital […]

A new campaign taking a radically different approach to detecting cancer early for patients, when it is easier to treat, has been announced today by NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard. Running across TV, radio, and social media from tomorrow, the campaign is the first to focus on tackling the fear of cancer rather than specific […]

NHS teams are set to visit over 650 schools this week to deliver second COVID-19 vaccines, as the majority of young people return to school after the half term break. Over 5,000 (5,136) more visits are planned before Easter as pupils become eligible, making it convenient for pupils aged 12 to 15 to get their […]

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has said the NHS Vaccination Programme met “stretching and unprecedented targets” as it helped save lives and reduce hospital admissions – all while making effective use of public money. Commenting on the findings, GP and deputy lead for the NHS Vaccination Programme, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “The […]

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Over 100,000 patients with COVID have been admitted to hospital since the emergence of the Omicron variant – and today’s figures show that staff remain under pressure on various fronts as they continue to make inroads on the elective backlog. “With seasonal pressures and almost 60,000 staff […]

One of the first patients to access a ground-breaking treatment for sickle cell disease on the NHS says she is “over the moon” to have received the “lifechanging” new drug. Loury Mooruth, 62, from Walsall in the West Midlands, is one of the first people to receive crizanlizumab at Birmingham NHS Trust – the first […]

Millions of patients on the waiting list for NHS care will be able to access support and check wait times at their fingertips thanks to a new online platform launching today. Built in conjunction with patient groups, My Planned Care is one of the latest measures in a major package of moves by the NHS […]

The NHS has today set out new ambitions for patients to have timely access to community mental healthcare, following a consultation on proposed new standards, as it faces record demand following the pandemic. Patients, clinicians, and the public have welcomed the proposed mental health access standards which include ensuring people in the community receive help […]

Issued at 8.51am on Saturday 19 February 2022. Temperatures/weather conditions are not expected to exceed Cold Weather Alert threshold criteria in any region from 9am on 19 February 2022 until further notice. More details about this weather alert are available on the Met Office website. Find out about staying well this winter.