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Recent stories
A week rarely passes by without the Department making a major announcement. The Recent stories area is updated whenever such an announcement is made to ensure that you are kept up to date.
Sir Michael Parkinson puts dignity in care under the spotlight
01 July 2009
National Dignity Ambassador Sir Michael Parkinson and Phil Hope are in Leeds to promote the Dignity in Care campaign.
Jim Easton has been appointed NHS National Director for Improvement and Efficiency
30 June 2009
Mr Easton, currently chief executive of the South Central Strategic Health Authority, has commenced work in this new role during a period of transition from the SHA.
Chair announced for new adjudication body for health professionals
30 June 2009
The Department of Health, the General Medical Council and the General Optical Council today welcome the appointment of Walter Merricks, CBE as the first Chair of the new Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA).
Quality of GP Consultations Drives High Patient Satisfaction
30 June 2009
The GP Patient Survey, the biggest healthcare survey of its kind, found that overall satisfaction with surgeries was high at 91%, but there is still room for improvement in accessing GP services, especially getting through on the phone and being able to make appointments more than 48 hours in advance.
Health Profiles 2009 launched
30 June 2009
Advances in the nation's health are revealed today in the fourth annual set of local Health Profiles.
Heatwave alert - level 2
26 June 2009
The Met Office has forecast that there is a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days to give rise to significant health risks.
Appointment of General Pharmaceutical Council Chair
26 June 2009
The Appointments Commission has agreed to appoint Mr Robert Nicholls CBE as Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council, the new independent regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises from 2010, Health Minister Ann Keen will announce today.
Junior doctor rotas to be compliant with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD)
25 June 2009
The overwhelming majority of all junior doctor rotas will be compliant with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by 1st August 2009.
New drive to save lives from venous thromboembolism in hospital patients
25 June 2009
The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson and the All Party Parliamentary Thrombosis Group are today holding a leadership summit on venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the NHS.
New guides to transform community services
25 June 2009
Six guides were launched today by Health Minister Lord Ara Darzi to support the NHS in delivering the highest quality healthcare services within the community.
New Cervical Cancer campaign
24 June 2009
There will be a new drive to ensure GPs spot cervical cancer symptoms earlier in young women and refer patients correctly, Health Minister Ann Keen announced today.
New goal to get more people with learning disabilities into work
24 June 2009
People with a learning disability will be helped into paid jobs to close the employment gap, Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People and Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services pledged today.
New deal for patients to boost access to NHS dentists
22 June 2009
New ways of improving access to NHS dental services and assuring high quality of care are set out today in an independent review.
Ambulance of tomorrow unveiled
19 June 2009
'Smart Pod', ideas for the ambulance of the future - was unveiled to the NHS and the healthcare industry at the NHS Innovation Expo in London today.
NHS meets target to cut C. difficile infections two years ahead of schedule
18 June 2009
Health Secretary Andy Burnham has congratulated NHS staff for their success in meeting the Government's target to reduce Clostridium. difficile (C. difficile) infections by 30 per cent two years ahead of schedule.
Access to IVF increases as new guidance makes system fairer
18 June 2009
The NHS is taking a step closer to ending regional variation in the provision of IVF to couples who are unable to conceive naturally, Public Health Minister Gillian Merron announced today.
New resuscitation trolley will save lives
18 June 2009
NHS staff will get a chance to see the future today when they visit the NHS Innovation Expo.
Concerns about health and looks are driving thousands to cut back on alcohol
14 June 2009
Men are worried that drinking too much alcohol will affect their appearence according to a new survey for the Know Your Limits campaign published today.
Attitudes to mental health problems improving in most areas
12 June 2009
The public is broadly sympathetic towards people with mental health problems, according to a Department of Health survey published today.
New Health Secretary sets out vision for a people centred NHS
11 June 2009
A new era in the National Health Service that builds on targets achieved and prioritises quality of care was set out by new Health Secretary Andy Burnham today.
Social Enterprise Investment Fund 2009/10 - Open for Business
11 June 2009
Social enterprises which improve the quality of health and social care for local communities can now apply for loans and grants from the Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today.
Councils awarded £2.5 million to stub out smoking
10 June 2009
Councils in England will share a Department of Health grant of £2.5 million to help smokers quit, Public Health Minister Gillian Merron announced today.
New hotline for carers launched
10 June 2009
A one-stop information and advice service for the unsung army of carers who look after ill, frail or disabled friends and relatives was officially launched today by Care Services Minister Phil Hope.
NHS Innovation Expo - 18-19 June Excel, London
29 May 2009
Journalists are invited to attend the NHS Innovation Expo at London's Excel Centre. This major healthcare event will bring together people and businesses from public, private and voluntary sectors for the first time. The event will act as a platform for ideas in innovation, science and technology and demonstrate how it can benefit the NHS and the business world.
NHS Healthcare Science Research projects Awarded over £1 million
27 May 2009
Ten healthcare scientists from across England have been awarded research fellowships worth a total of over £1million for projects that will lead to improvements in patient care, announced Professor Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), today.
Review of the effect of European working time directive on junior doctor training
21 May 2009
A review into the quality of training for junior doctors in the light of the implementation of the European Working Time Directive was announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson today.
NHS reflects on delivery of key priorities
20 May 2009
NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson today thanked NHS staff for their hard work improving care for patients this year, including reducing healthcare associated infections and waiting times, and extending GP opening hours.
Government responds to Archer Inquiry
20 May 2009
The Government today responded to the independent inquiry into contaminated blood supplies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Fair weather friends called for during heatwaves
19 May 2009
Practical action to prepare for a potential heatwave is the central theme of the 2009 Heatwave Plan published by the Department of Health today. The plan urges everyone to be aware of the health risks faced by elderly friends and relatives during a heatwave.
NHS celebrates success and progress in A&E
15 May 2009
New figures published today show A&E departments in England have met the operational standard for 98% of patients to be treated within four hours of arrival at A&E over the last year.
Agreements secured for pre-pandemic vaccine for the UK
15 May 2009
Agreements have been signed between the UK Government and vaccine manufacturers to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine before a pandemic begins.
New indicators will help drive quality improvement in the NHS
A list of more than 200 indicators of high quality care in the NHS is being published for the first time to help clinicians drive up the quality of care they deliver to patients, the Department of Health and The NHS Information Centre announced today.
New health taskforce to spot signs of violence against women
13 May 2009
A new taskforce of health professionals working together to spot early signs of violence and abuse against women and girls was announced today.
Putting the patient in control
12 May 2009
Patients are a step closer to getting more say over their healthcare services as plans for a national pilot project reach the next stage, the Department of Health announced today.
£10m to encourage new health innovation and education clusters (HIECS)
11 May 2009
The Department of Health is inviting applications for partnerships between health, social care, education and business sectors to become Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs), which will deliver high quality care to patients, it announced today.
First step towards Swine Flu vaccine prototype achieved
8 May 2009
The first step towards producing a European prototype of a swine flu vaccine has been achieved by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.
Alan Johnson issues call to arms on children's asthma treatment
07 May 2009
Local health agencies and schools must improve the management of childhood asthma to help children lead full and healthy lives, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health urged today.
UK adopts new growth charts based on breast-fed babies
New growth charts launched for National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
Government pledges £1.6m for Macmillan's National Cancer Survivorship Initiative
The Department of Health is to provide £1.6 million to Macmillan to improve services and support for those living with and beyond cancer, Health Minister, Ann Keen announced today.
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