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News
NHS weekly winter operational update for the week ending 19 February 2023
Commenting on the NHS performance figures published today, NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Today’s figures show pressure on the NHS remains high with almost 5,000 more patients in hospitals than this time last year, while Covid cases continue to increase. “Despite this, NHS staff are working remarkably hard and we now have […]
NHS cuts elective backlog with longest waiters down a quarter in one month
NHS staff across England have reduced the number of patients waiting more than a year and a half by over a quarter in just one month, despite the busiest winter ever. The total number waiting more than 18 months has fallen by 27% from 54,382 on 15 January to 39,903 as of 12 February. Over […]
New figures show NHS workforce most diverse it has ever been
The NHS workforce is more diverse than at any other point in its history, according to an annual report into race equality across the health service. Published today, the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard shows Black and minority ethnic (BME) staff make up almost a quarter of the workforce overall (24.2% or 383,706 staff) – […]
NHS website sees demand for burns advice almost double on Pancake Day
The burns and scalds page is viewed once every 16 seconds as the nation gets cooking. Visits to the NHS website’s advice on burns and scalds nearly doubles on Pancake Day, latest figures show. The number of page views for help with burns injuries jumps from a daily average of 3,200 to 5,300 on Pancake […]
Today’s industrial action by ambulance workers
NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “As we have seen with previous industrial action, disruption is inevitable, however, it is vital that people do not put off seeking care and dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency and come forward for treatment using 111 online for non-life threatening care, as well as local pharmacies […]
New NHS campaign urges people to use their bowel cancer home testing kit
Millions of people in England who have been sent a lifesaving home testing kit that can detect early signs of bowel cancer are being encouraged to use it and return it, as part of a new, first-of-a-kind NHS campaign. Launching today across TV, radio, video on demand and social media, the NHS national campaign aims […]
Women urged to take up NHS breast screening invites
Thousands of women are being urged to take up NHS breast screening appointments as new figures today reveal that while the highest number ever were screened last year, nearly four in 10 did not take up the potentially lifesaving offer. Last year (2021-22) 1.97 million2 women aged 50 to 70 (62.3%) attended screening appointments (within […]
England’s top doctor thanks staff for reducing time lost to ambulance handover delays by over a third
Commenting on weekly NHS winter pressures data published this morning showing the time lost to ambulance handover delays reduced by over a third week-on-week. NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Thanks to hardworking frontline staff and extra capacity including beds and virtual wards rolled out this winter, time lost to ambulance handover delays […]
First baby receives life-saving gene therapy on NHS
A 19-month-old baby girl called Teddi has become the first child in the UK to receive a life-saving gene therapy treatment for the fatal disorder, metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). The revolutionary gene therapy, known by its brand name Libmeldy®, has a list price of £2.8 million and was the most expensive drug in the world when […]
Patients urged to seek life-saving care during busiest strike period on record
The NHS is urging the public to continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency and go to NHS 111 online for non-urgent needs as the health service experiences record levels of industrial action. The biggest industrial action in the history of the NHS this week has left the health service with less time to […]