Local GPs are now inviting teenagers (aged 17 and 18 years) in Kent and Medway to take-up a new vaccine which offers them protection against meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). NHS England is welcoming the start of this new MenACWY vaccination programme which protects against these diseases which are caused by […]

The NHS is looking for local people to share their experiences of and views on how to improve local stroke care and inpatient vascular services, at a series of events across Kent from 1 to 30 July. This includes the care provided in the first 72 hours following a stroke, as well as how problems such as […]

NHS England has launched a campaign today, highlighting the importance of following up cervical cancer screening invitations. Cervical Screening Awareness Week (CSAW) is a UK-wide initiative led by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting women and their families affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. The week aims to highlight the importance […]

Plans to simplify patient access to local walk-in services in Crawley have been approved by NHS England. Funding for services at Crawley Health Centre will be reinvested to support walk-in services at Crawley Hospital and care for patients at other local GP practices, once the current contract there expires in September 2015. Patients currently registered […]

NHS England has launched a campaign today, encouraging pregnant women in Slough and Reading to protect their babies and get vaccinated against whooping cough. The uptake of the whooping cough vaccine is lower in Slough (40.3 per cent) and Reading (51.3 per cent) compared to the average in the Thames Valley area (61.4 per cent). […]

Given the current intense national focus on the future shape and function of hospitals, stakeholders in health care systems have to consider the most appropriate configuration of their hospitals so that their clinical services are adequately supported by other specialties, are fit for purpose, sustainable, accessible and deliver the highest possible quality of care. The […]

An innovative pilot scheme in Southampton has scooped £45k to help improve services for children and young people with mental health issues across the city. The pilot, to be run jointly between NHS Southampton City CCG and Southampton City Council will use the cash to bring together services across health, social care and education for […]

Mental health and wellbeing services for children and young people in Plymouth are to get £75,000 to make them more joined up and improve access. A joint bid by Plymouth City Council and Northern, Eastern and Western Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) means mental health and emotional wellbeing support services in Plymouth are among […]

South East Coast Clinical Senate (SECCS) has launched an important publication entitled ‘Improving Advance Care Planning in Kent, Surrey and Sussex’. This publication has been written for a wide audience, including health and social care professionals, organisations responsible for education and training of health and care staff, commissioners, the community and voluntary sector, and public […]

Innovative projects in Devon and Cornwall will receive a share of a £2.5m fund to help change patients’ lives and improve care through innovation. A total of eight projects in the area were announced as winners of the NHS England’s Regional Innovation Fund which was launched in April to support and promote the adoption and […]