A ‘major milestone’ has been met today as the number of first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine offered to people in the south west tops one million. Staff across the NHS have been supporting the roll-out of the vaccination programme in the areas, with people most at-risk of Covid-19 being prioritised, in line with expert […]

To mark the anniversary of the first confirmed Covid patients being treated by the NHS, Sir Simon Stevens today paid tribute to NHS staff for their “extraordinary work in a year like no other”. He today met the team who cared for the country’s first two confirmed Covid patients, who were admitted to the Royal Victoria […]

The new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is being rolled out to General Practice led services today making it easier to protect care home residents and other vulnerable people against Covid-19. The vaccine has been trialled at selected hospitals for surveillance purposes before being sent out to hundreds of community-based local vaccination services. Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, […]

The biggest vaccine campaign in NHS history kicked off this morning, as 90-year-old grandmother Margaret Keenan became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 jab following its clinical approval. At 6.31AM early riser Margaret, known to friends and family as Maggie, was given the life-saving jab by nurse May Parsons at […]

The NHS in the South West took a significant further step today towards joined-up health and social care at grassroots level, with the approval of four more integrated care systems (ICSs). The new ICSs cover: • Bath & NE Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire • Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire • Cornwall and Isles of […]

People most at risk of flu are being urged to get their free NHS vaccination as soon as possible, before flu season hits. This year, more people than ever are being offered the free vaccine, including those more likely to develop serious complications such as pregnant women and people with long term health conditions including […]

MPs and NHS leaders in the South West have joined forces to honour health and care staff who have helped to improve treatment for patients in the regional round of the NHS Parliamentary Awards, announced today. Winners in the 10 regional categories, which range from Excellence in Primary Care to the Lifetime Achievement Award, include […]

People with persistent stomach problems living in the South West are being urged to get checked for cancer as part of the NHS and Public Health England’s  ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign. TV adverts and social media posts in the region will urge people to speak to their GP if they have a symptom including […]

With autumn in full swing and the risk of flu as prevalent as ever, we’re urging people with eligible health conditions to take up their free flu vaccination. We know from previous years that flu kills. Evidence shows that people who get flu and COVID at the same time are more likely to need to […]

Latest figures have highlighted the drop in patients seeking medical help when experiencing potential symptoms of lung cancer; and fewer people are accessing treatment for the condition in hospitals across the South West. The data tells us those attending hospital for suspected lung cancer following referral by their GP, fell to below 20% of normal […]