On 24 September, over 120 nurses and midwives from across the South West came together in Taunton to take part in a regional engagement event for the Chief Nursing Officer’s (CNO) Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery. Led by Duncan Burton, CNO for England, the strategy aims to co-develop a compelling long-term vision for nursing […]

Eligible people are urged to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to help protect themselves and their families this winter. Respiratory infections like flu spread more easily in winter because we spend more time indoors with others. Last year in England, flu caused around 8,000 deaths, while vaccination prevented an estimated 96,000 to 120,200 hospitalisations. […]

Professor Green has today, announced his winners of the South West supervised toothbrushing singing and colouring competition held across the region’s primary schools in an exclusive video across NHS England South West’s social media. NHS England South West teamed up with rapper and health activist Professor Green, and the Big Brush Club to launch an […]

#SLECWeek: 29 September – 5 October 2025 The Safe Learning Environment Charter is a national initiative co-produced by learners and educators across England. It defines what “good” looks like in placements and training, focusing on psychological safety, supervision, wellbeing, and inclusion. The Charter sets out clear principles to ensure learners feel safe, supported, and empowered. […]

NHS England South West and Sirona care & health have launched suite of new videos to help people with learning disabilities better understand the importance of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and cervical screening. Created in partnership with actors from Misfits theatre group, a social theatre group for people with learning disabilities, the aim of the […]

118,315 people in the South West have been checked and treated for high blood pressure in the past 18 months, as part of a drive to reduce the death toll from stroke and heart attack. All were given lifestyle advice and offered treatment to help manage their condition. As a result, it’s estimated 700 heart […]

We are pleased to announce that the following people have been appointed as Chairs of the three Integrated Care Board clusters in the South West, following approval by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: Gloucestershire ICB and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB Jeff Farrar, previously Chair of Bristol, North Somerset […]

Flu vaccinations are now available for pregnant women and children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children and children with certain long-term health conditions. Flu is a highly infectious disease which can cause symptoms much worse than a heavy cold, however, the flu vaccine provides the best protection against flu, helping people to Stay Well […]

A record 74,062 tests and scans were provided for patients last month in the South West’s growing network of NHS community diagnostic centres (CDCs), which are now all open evenings and weekends. The 17 units are designed to increase capacity and to ease pressure on main hospital sites, so people can get treated more quickly.  […]

Nearly 26,000 people in the South West have pledged to stop smoking in the past year, according to the latest NHS figures. Data shows that from April 2024 to March 2025, 25,722 people living in the region decided to ditch the cigarettes, up from 15,000 the previous year. But despite this progress, 562,482 adults in the […]