Executive non-departmental public body overseeing NHS England’s commissioning in England
Northern Ireland and Devon maternity services are under pressure as hospital trusts plan to temporarily move births to larger facilities due to staffing shortages. In Devon, Barnstaple’s unit remains closed with families facing long drives to Exeter; in Northern Ireland, Daisy Hill may shift births to Craigavon, raising transport and access concerns for rural residents.
A major NHS maternity investigation has identified widespread failures at Nottingham University Hospitals, with hundreds of harm cases, underlining staffing and leadership problems that span years. The review cites understaffing, culture issues, and delays in care, prompting renewed calls for accountability and reform across England’s maternity services.
England’s children’s mental health referrals have surpassed 1 million for 2024-25, a rise driven by anxiety and suspected autism. Wait times remain long, with more than 60,000 waiting over two years. The report calls for joined-up services across health, education and social care to meet demand.
The Amos review has recommended appointing a national maternity and neonatal commissioner to drive urgent reforms in England. Ministers are now pursuing this plan, signaling a turning point after years of concerns about safety, listening to women, and discrimination. An accompanying 10-point plan sets out actions to improve triage, staffing, capacity, and accountability.
The NHS is expanding an AI-driven triage tool across app users, directing patients to the right service and reducing wait times. Trials show a 29% drop in GP phone queue lines, and the program is part of a larger £10bn tech overhaul. Safety, privacy, and digital inclusion remain priorities as the rollout reaches 200,000 patients this year and all users by 2028.
The NHS has launched Movement 26.2, a rewards-based walking challenge designed to convert daily movement into a sustainable habit. Participants log 20-30 minutes of walking daily to reach 26 miles per month; earnings depend on retailer partnerships and completion. The scheme aims to boost physical and mental wellbeing amid inactivity concerns.
Analyses show waiting times for NHS treatment in Scotland have increased for some metrics while others are stable. Experts warn that meaningful progress will take time and a comprehensive workforce plan is needed as ministers return after summer recess.
The UK is expanding its measles catch-up drive after two child fatalities and a year with rising cases. NHS and UKHSA are contacting families to boost MMR vaccination, focusing on children aged two to 11, with continued emphasis on five-year-olds completing two doses.
A national AIHW data report shows cervical cancer incidence is dropping sharply among Australian women aged 25–29, while cancers like bowel cancer rise in their 30s. Vaccination campaigns begun in 2007 and school-based programs contributed to a projected elimination threshold by 2035, though most cancers still affect those 50 and older.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health warns that child health outcomes across 12 indicators have worsened or stalled in England. The report highlights persistent inequality, with deprivation and ethnicity shaping outcomes. Officials urge explicit targets, better data and long-term investment to improve child health and reduce disparities.
The new Labour government is taking office as Northern Ireland faces a looming Stormont budget shortfall and ongoing talks with local parties. Benn says the onus is on the executive to seal a budget, while Sinn Féin and other parties call for early engagement and reform. Public services are operating under contingency measures as the budget stalemate continues.
The Independent reports Andy Burnham has pledged a “new direction” for the UK, advocating devolution and a North No. 10 to drive reforms in energy, housing and transport. He aims to move power out of Whitehall and fosters a vision of “Manchesterism” to deliver growth across regions.
UK health officials say interim data suggest 2026 could record the highest heat-related deaths, with 2,877 fatalities across May and June heatwaves—nearly double 2021 levels. Records for May and June temperatures are already in. Authorities warn the NHS faces strain as heat intensifies.
A high-profile trial examining puberty blockers for about 220 children aged 11‑16 is moving forward after a High Court judge rejects a last-minute challenge to delay the Pathways study. The court has found no realistic prospect of success for the bid, and recruitment is set to begin from August 1 under strict safeguards.
Racism against NHS staff is rising, according to multiple surveys. Radiographers report abuse and dismissive attitudes from patients, prompting calls for zero tolerance and stricter enforcement of standards. The NHS Race and Health Observatory and unions say racism undermines care; standards now allow refusing non-emergency care to abusive patients.
The Guardian and other outlets report that East London NHS Foundation Trust plans significant service redesign and job cuts to balance its budget, sparking concerns over access to mental health care and wider NHS strain.
A locum NHS surgeon performing an emergency bowel operation at Royal Oldham Hospital has been found to have carried out a totally unconventional procedure that connected the small intestine to the stomach, creating a closed loop. The patient endured weeks of pain before another surgeon corrected the error; the tribunal has struck the doctor from the medical register for serious professional misconduct.
Health ministers push binding national maternity standards and a new commissioner to end postcode gaps, following multiple investigations into failures. The plan aims to improve patient experience and address racial inequalities in maternity care.
England is expanding its mental health infrastructure with 100 new community centres and 59 dedicated emergency departments to provide walk‑in, same‑day access. The program aims to shift care closer to home, reduce crisis waits, and alleviate pressure on A&E departments as part of the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy.
The NHS is facing ongoing pressure as extreme summer heat drives high patient volumes, staff fatigue, and equipment failures. Hospitals report heat-related complications, ambulance services struggle, and care settings adapt with cooling measures and extra staff. The situation follows a series of heatwaves with warnings to protect vulnerable populations.
A fifth heatwave has prompted amber heat health alerts for most of England, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s. The UK Health Security Agency warns of health and service impacts, drought conditions worsen in several regions, and officials urge precautions as authorities brace for potential disruptions to travel and power.
Rising heat advisories affect millions across the central Plains to the Southeast, with temperatures pushing toward 100 F and humidity making it feel hotter. In the U.K., calls for legal maximum workplace temperatures gain momentum as workers advocate protective laws amid intensifying heat waves.
PMOS, previously grouped with PCOS, affects about 1 in 8 women and involves insulin resistance and testosterone imbalance. Case studies show GLP-1 medications may improve symptoms and menstrual regularity, with trials underway. Diagnosis remains challenging and access to new treatments will depend on healthcare systems.
Nice has approved a weekly insulin to reduce injections from 365 to 52, but MHRA approval is pending. The treatment—Onswik, by Eli Lilly—could improve daily life for patients who rely on carers or face dexterity challenges. NHS readiness hinges on regulatory licensing and clear rollout guidelines.
The NHS has launched a program to send self‑testing HPV kits to eligible women aged 30–65 who have missed cervical screening appointments. The at‑home swabs test for high‑risk HPV; negative results lead to in‑person follow‑ups. The phased rollout aims to boost screening uptake and support the 2040 elimination target.
Major U.S. medical societies have published coordinated guidance for flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations after the FDA approved updated COVID and flu shots. The American Medical Association and partner groups have compiled evidence and tailored recommendations for age and risk groups while the CDC advisory process remains delayed by political and legal disputes. Enhanced and mRNA flu options are available for older adults.
The NHS is expanding free cholesterol tests and blood pressure checks to adults aged 40 to 84 in participating high-street pharmacies after a north London pilot showed 19% at high risk and 88 people starting statins. The program aims to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and reduce pressure on GP and hospital services.
UK researchers have developed nitinol-based super-elastic cranial springs for severe craniosynostosis, enabling less invasive skull reshaping in children. Rory Potter becomes the first patient to receive the customized springs, with follow-up showing rapid recovery and a reduced need for future surgery. The approach combines CT-guided modelling with bespoke devices at Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCL.
UK emergency departments face rising violence and discrimination against staff as overcrowding and long waits persist. A RCEM survey shows most workers report abuse, with calls for urgent action from government and NHS leadership.
Pharmacists can now treat migraines, acne, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis in addition to seven existing conditions, as NHS England expands the Pharmacy First scheme to ease GP and A&E pressure. A phased rollout starts this autumn with thousands of community pharmacies involved.
The government has given English regional mayors the power to charge an overnight visitor levy as a percentage of accommodation costs with no statutory upper limit. Industry groups and major hotel chains have warned the uncapped power will raise prices, reduce demand and cost jobs; mayors say revenue will fund local services and infrastructure from 2028.
England has authorised Enhertu for routine NHS use for HER2‑low metastatic breast cancer, ensuring access for about 1,000 women annually. The decision follows a previous rejection over cost‑effectiveness and builds on a deal between NICE and drug makers AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. Scotland has already provided access since 2023.
The Thirlwall Inquiry into the Countess of Chester Hospital has found a complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit, with safeguarding procedures not invoked even after concerns were raised about nurse Lucy Letby. The report urges reforms, including CCTV for cots and insulin-fridge CCTV, and highlights missed opportunities to intervene between 2015 and 2016.
The Thirlwall inquiry has found a complete failure to protect babies at Countess of Chester Hospital, faulting senior management for delays, safeguarding gaps and a toxic culture. The 822-page report calls for major NHS reforms and accountability measures, amid ongoing investigations into Lucy Letby’s convictions.
England is rolling out Martha’s Rule to all emergency departments by March 2028 after successful pilots. The policy, named for Martha Mills, enables patients, families and staff to trigger a rapid care review when deterioration is suspected, with early trials showing some patients undergoing urgent surgery or transfer to intensive care.
A rapid genomic test is being piloted in five UK centres to identify brain-tumour types during surgery, cutting diagnosis times from weeks to hours and enabling earlier treatment and trials for patients.
NHS England has ordered trusts to suspend staff immediately and cut off access to computer systems when suspected of unlawfully viewing patient records. The move follows high‑profile breaches and shows a tougher stance on data privacy across the health service.