As Learning Disability Week continues, we are sharing powerful reflections from those working every day to ensure people with a learning disability are seen, heard, and valued across the South West. Today, we hear from a Sarah Thornell, Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism at Royal united Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust, whose career […]

The NHS in the South West is working to increase uptake in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening in line with the national cervical cancer elimination strategy for England. Each year around 2,700 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England, with proportionally more people being diagnosed in the South West when compared to the […]

Seven health and care workers in the South West have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list which has been announced today.  The doctors, nurses, therapist, and volunteer community first responder received awards for their hard work and dedication to helping people and communities across the NHS and health care settings. Former NHS […]

As part of Learning Disability Week, NHS England South West is proud to share stories from across the region that show how people with a learning disability can – and should – be seen, heard, and valued in every part of the health and care system. This year, we are highlighting the voices of those […]

The North and East Devon Breast Screening Service has launched a new expandable mobile breast screening unit which will provide breast screening to eligible people in North and East Devon. Breast screening can be lifesaving, yet data from 2023/24 shows that over a quarter of eligible people in Devon are not up to date with […]

Just over half a million patients have received help from high street pharmacies for minor illnesses, as the NHS brings care closer to people’s homes. Since January 2024, 220,000 people have received help without booking an appointment at their local pharmacy for seven common conditions including sore throat, earache or shingles. In the same period, […]

Data published on 8 May shows that 47.9% of eligible people in the South West have now received their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Spring vaccination programme.   The Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme commenced on 1 April and the NHS in the South West has already delivered almost half a million vaccinations. However, over 52% […]

An NHS worker hopes by sharing his own blood pressure readings it will add up to more people aged 40-plus checking to see if their blood pressure reading is high, and when it is taking the steps to reduce their risk of premature death. For Jim Gammans, a Community Engagement Officer, it’s about ‘talk the […]

This International Nurses’ Day, I want to extend my deepest thanks to our nurses – not only across the South West, but throughout the country – for their unwavering commitment to care, compassion, and clinical excellence. Every day, nurses across our region support patients and their families through some of the most important moments of […]

Kitty Odell from Bristol was fit and healthy when she received her third bowel cancer screening home test as part of the routine screening offer provided by the NHS to people in the South West who are aged 50 to 74. Without any concerning symptoms, Kitty left the test on the side for several weeks […]