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 […]

Superdrug will introduce new mental health checks for customers who want to undergo cosmetic procedures, after England’s top doctor called on the beauty chain and other providers to do more to protect people against body image pressures. NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis wrote to Superdrug raising concerns after the company announced it would be […]

A team of experts and £1 million annual investment are part of a package of measures in the NHS Long Term Plan, to improve race equality in the health service, as a new report highlights the experience of black and minority ethnic (BME) people working in the NHS. The independent assessment published today shows that […]

An programme in Somerset has helped patients avoid 7,500 nights in hospital and freed up at least £2 million for other services. Somerset’s pioneering ‘Homefirst’ scheme offers patients who are healthy enough, and their families, tailored help to finish therapy at home, with personalised care reducing stays in hospital by up to ten days. Described […]

Local health services today are being allocated £570 billion to fund NHS services and implement the new long term plan. Every area in England will receive a cash increase of at least 17% over the next five years, including a minimum rise of 4.4% next year. Some £1 billion a year will be distributed according […]