ON WORLD Pharmacists Day, Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West, Karen O’Brien, proudly recognises the vital role pharmacists play in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare in the North West. Across the NHS, pharmacists are at the heart of patient care—from hospital wards and GP practices to community pharmacies and care homes. […]

An initiative improving kidney disease care across the North West has won an award at the 2025 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards. The chronic kidney disease pathway improvement project, known as CORE Kidney, won the award for ‘Best Use of Integrated Care and Partnership Working in Patient Safety’ during a prestigious ceremony in […]

Lung cancer detecting robots, online therapy sessions for stroke patients and AI helping nurses to transcribe patient notes are some of ways hospital trusts in the North West are already using technology to improve care for patients. The shift from analogue to digital is at the heart of the NHS 10 Year Plan, which was […]

The NHS in the North West is providing targeted care for vulnerable groups, improving ambulance handover times and investing in new emergency care facilities as it strengthens its plans to winter-proof the health service. Local teams are being asked to identify patients who are most vulnerable to winter viruses and at risk of a hospital […]

AS THE North West welcomes new students to the region, the NHS and UK Health Security Agency are encouraging all students to ensure they have the NHS care they require as they begin their university studies. When packing up to move, regional health bosses want to encourage all students to download the NHS App and […]

With thousands of people, particularly older people, ending up in hospital because of a fall, this Falls Awareness Week (15-19 September) the NHS in the North West is encouraging people who may be at risk to take simple steps to stay safe, steady and strong. In 2024 the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) visited over […]

Thousands more people have been directed straight to specialist care by their GP thanks to ‘Advice and Guidance’ Scheme 99% of GPs now registered for the scheme, which stops patients from ending up on waiting lists unnecessarily Part of the Plan for Change, the common-sense approach means patients get the seen quicker, waiting lists are […]

WITH MORE THAN an estimated half a million adults in the region living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, this Know Your Numbers week (8 – 14 September), Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West is urging anyone over the age of 40 to get a free […]

Martha’s rule is now available in every acute hospital in England following a successful pilot across the country and in numerous North West hospitals, as new data shows hundreds of patients have benefitted from potentially lifesaving changes to their care thanks to its rollout. Between September 2024 and June 2025, there were 4,906 calls made […]

MILLIONS of children and adults across the North West will be offered vaccinations to fight off winter illnesses including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter as the NHS sets out plans for protection ahead of winter. From 1 September, pregnant women and all children aged two to 16 are eligible for the flu […]