More than a million children and young people will have access to mental health support at school, as the NHS rapidly expands services to help deal with the huge disruption caused by coronavirus and lockdown. From this year, teams of experts are offering support to children experiencing anxiety, depression, and other common mental health issues. […]

Over one million people in the South West have now received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This milestone comes as the number of people in the region who have received their first dose tops three million. The second vaccine around 12 weeks later maximises protection against COVID-19 infection.   Regional Director of NHS […]

The NHS has boosted support for patients, their families and staff by recruiting 10,000 healthcare support workers in the first three months of the year. The South West NHS has successfully recruited 1008 healthcare support workers (HCSW) and a further 304 are waiting to start following the pre-employment checks. Over forty percent of people recruited […]

Thousands of new, expectant or bereaved mothers will receive help and support for mental health problems through dozens of new dedicated hubs which are being set up across the country. The 26 new hubs will bring together maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy under one roof as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. […]

Are you planning to stay local this Easter? Make sure you’ve collected your prescription in good time for the Bank Holiday. Take a few minutes to think about your health by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions early, ahead of bank holiday when some GP practices and pharmacies will be closed. Dr Peter Wilson, Medical […]

Women living in the South West who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault are being urged to contact the NHS for support, as the number of people seeking help halved during the first lockdown. Following recent high-profile events highlighting sexual abuse and the increase in women sharing their experiences of assault and harassment, both […]

Debbie, previously the Deputy Director of PHE South West, has been acting in this role since Debra Lapthorne’s retirement in December 2020 and has now been formally appointed. As the Deputy Director for PHE South West since 2015, Debbie has already overseen a range of public health issues and achievements in the South West, working […]

Miniature cameras which patients can swallow to get checked for cancer are being trialled across the South West NHS. The imaging technology, in a capsule no bigger than a pill, can provide a diagnosis within hours. Known as a colon capsule endoscopy, the cameras are the latest NHS innovation to help patients access cancer checks […]

Over two million vaccinations have now been delivered by the NHS in the South West, as the biggest and fastest vaccine drive in NHS history continues at pace. NHS staff, alongside volunteers, have been jabbing people in over 100 sites across the region. The NHS is working with local communities to make it as easy […]

Sir Andrew Strauss, the ex-England cricket captain who lost his wife to lung cancer, has backed an NHS and Public Health England campaign urging people to get checked if they test negative for Covid-19 but have a persistent cough. Sir Andrew has joined television presenter Gaby Roslin, who lost her mother to lung cancer, and […]