Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 24 March 2026.

The most significant overhaul of the regulation of medical professionals since 1983 will be set out in a consultation on the General Medical Council Order.

• Biggest reform of General Medical Council for over 40 years
• First tranche of Lord John Mann recommendations set out in the consultation
• Boost to NHS patient and staff safety

Major reform to the General Medical Council (GMC) is being put in motion today (24 March 2026) to modernise the regulation of doctors, making the system faster, less bureaucratic and better equipped to protect both patients and NHS staff.

The most significant overhaul of the regulation of medical professionals since 1983 will be set out in a consultation on the draft General Medical Council Order 2026 – the proposed legislation governing the regulation of doctors – which has been launched today.

There have been too many recent examples of doctors using intolerably racist and antisemitic language, particularly on social media, without regulators taking swift enough action to effectively protect patients and NHS staff. It is clear that the current regulatory landscape is outdated and too bureaucratic, hampering GMC’s ability to act decisively when doctors contravene their code of conduct.

That is why the government asked Lord John Mann to conduct a rapid review into antisemitism and other forms of racism in the health service in November. Alongside the wider modernisation proposals, the government is consulting on the first tranche of recommendations from Lord Mann’s review.

The GMC Order will consult on delivering these recommendations into law, introducing 3 key changes:

• GMC will retain its existing right to appeal decisions made by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to the courts, ensuring there remains a robust check on fitness to practise outcomes
• the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) – the body that oversees all healthcare regulators – will receive new powers to challenge interim decisions made by MPTS, and the GMC will receive equivalent powers
• regulators will be required to share information with PSA when requested, strengthening PSA’s ability to scrutinise regulatory decisions and intervene where necessary

These changes will increase oversight of GMC and make it easier for regulators and oversight bodies to act where decisions are not strong enough to keep the public safe.

Beyond the Mann recommendations, in order to drive positive change and strengthen sexual safety in the NHS, the consultation also proposes removing the current rule that prevents regulators from being able to consider fitness to practise concerns involving allegations of historic sexual abuse after 5 years have passed. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: 

The NHS is a universal health service, which means that everyone, regardless of race, religion, or belief, should feel safe seeking its care. It is unacceptable that this is not the current reality for many patients and staff, and I will not allow it to continue.

I am grateful to Lord John Mann for his rapid investigation into how we can overhaul the current system and I look forward to setting his common-sense recommendations in motion to ensure NHS patients and staff get the protection they expect.

 Lord John Mann said:

Racism, including anti-Jewish racism, has no place in the health sector or our NHS, and those who engage in it should face swift and meaningful consequences. For too long, the system has been too slow and too cumbersome to deliver that. These reforms will help deliver change.

I am pleased that the government has moved quickly to act on my recommendations, and I look forward to working with it to implement the rest of my review.

The consultation also proposes reforms to make the regulatory system more efficient and fit for the future, including greater flexibility on education and training standards and increased autonomy for regulators to respond to future workforce needs.

This includes overhauling the fitness to practise process to make it swifter, fairer and less adversarial, strengthening public protection and improving the experience for all parties involved. This will further support the work GMC has already done to eliminate bias in its fitness to practise processes.

GMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Charlie Massey, said:

Patients rightly expect assurance that doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates are safe to practise and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised. These proposed reforms will allow us to respond more quickly and flexibly when patient safety is at risk.

They will also allow us to further improve our efficiency and effectiveness, while at the same time enabling us to help patients navigate the complaints and concerns process more easily.

This is an important and long-awaited step towards a more responsive and compassionate approach to healthcare regulation.

Together, these changes are designed to reduce bureaucracy, improve patient and staff safety and support the NHS workforce.

The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 24 March 2026.

Following an attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green, the Department of Health and Social Care is taking action to support the charity and patients.

In response to the attacks on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green, north London, on Monday 23 March, the Secretary of State confirmed the government has arranged for replacement ambulances to be provided on loan from the London Ambulance Service and will cover the cost of replacements for the vehicles destroyed.

The loan ambulances will arrive today [24 March] and the replacements will be provided as soon as possible.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

This shocking, cowardly, and despicable act of evil was not only an attack on London’s Jewish community, but on an ambulance service whose sole purpose is to save lives and care for others.

There is no doubt this attack was designed to strike fear into the heart of Jewish people in Golders Green and across the country. And, as a Member of Parliament who represents a significant Jewish community further east in London, I know what’s happened will be felt painfully and acutely by all Jewish people across our country.

The aim of these attackers is clear – they want Jewish people in this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to be less visible as Jewish people, and to fear going about Jewish life – whether that’s attending school or providing the services and support that makes the Jewish community one of the most resilient, strong, and proud communities in the country.

Hatzola’s volunteers represent the very best of public service, providing rapid, life-saving care to anyone in need, and it is appalling that such a service has been targeted in this way.

Of course, the best form of solidarity is practical solidarity, which is why today, our London Ambulance Service colleagues are providing support to the team in Golders Green to make sure that we don’t skip a beat when it comes to responding to emergency call-outs. We will also be providing four replacement ambulances, initially on loan until we can provide permanent replacements. The Jewish community should not bear the cost of this hatred.

This moment demands more than practical support. The Jewish community will not stand alone – the government and this entire country stand with them.

The answer cannot simply be higher walls, thicker doors, more CCTV. We also have to deal with this hatred at its source. We have to confront and beat the evil ideas that are permeating in our society. Anti-Semitism is an old hatred, but it is alive and kicking in our country, and all of us, particularly those who are not Jewish, have to wake up, stand up, and work with our Jewish friends and neighbours in confronting and defeating this despicable hatred.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 March 2026.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting appoints Donna Ockenden to lead the independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity and neonatal service.

• Secretary of State for Health and Social Care appoints Ockenden to lead independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity and neonatal services. 
• Follows repeated maternity failures in Leeds, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, and the announcement of an independent review in October 2025. 
• Decision reflects families’ own asks, following direct conversations with the Secretary of State.

Families in Leeds are closer to seeing lasting change following the appointment of senior midwife Donna Ockenden to lead an independent review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 

The Health and Social Care Secretary spoke this morning with the families, where he set out that this decision has been made with the aim of building the confidence of all the families who have been harmed. It’s the third time since September that the Secretary of State has met with the families.

Ockenden brings extensive experience as a nurse and midwife, alongside her track record of uncovering systemic failings in maternity care – having examined maternity practices at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust – and is currently chairing the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust maternity review.

From next month, the government will kickstart work with families to further develop the terms of reference for the review, with individual clinical case reviews set to begin from August 2026. 

The government has taken significant action to overhaul maternity care over the last 18 months, including a rapid national investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England led by Baroness Amos, who published her interim findings on 26 February 2026. 

The Secretary of State will also launch the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, taking the national investigation’s recommendations and turning them into a concrete plan for real, lasting change. 

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: 

Donna Ockenden is an outstanding advocate for families whose voices have not always been heard, and I’m delighted to appoint someone so trusted by those who have been repeatedly let down by the NHS.  

To the families in Leeds, I want to say thank you for your openness during our detailed discussions in recent weeks, and the courage you continue to show in sharing your experiences and advocating for lasting change, so other families do not experience the unimaginable tragedies you have gone through.  

This review must deliver for you, and for the sake of all families, who rightly expect to receive safe and high-quality maternity care in the NHS. Donna Ockenden’s leadership will bring us closer to the lasting change so desperately needed in Leeds.

Donna Ockenden said:

It is an honour to have been asked to chair this review, and I feel a profound sense of responsibility to the parents, babies and healthcare professionals it concerns to ensure that we get this right.

This review must remain firmly focused on the families who, in many instances, have waited far too long for answers to questions about their care. My priority will be to listen carefully to families and staff, to understand what has gone wrong, and to ensure that the lessons are learned and the changes required are made, in a timely way, thus ensuring that all mothers, their babies and families receive safe, high-quality perinatal care.

The Leeds family maternity group said:

It has been a long, drawn-out and emotionally draining process to get the assurances that this investigation will be handled with the appropriate methodology and care that it needs.

We are grateful that Wes Streeting has listened carefully to all of the evidence we put to him about our concerns and why Donna Ockenden should be appointed as chair. We believe she has the experience, independence and determination required to uncover the truth and deliver meaningful accountability and change.

The independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity units was announced by the Secretary of State in October last year, following repeated maternity failures. Despite being one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust remains an outlier on perinatal mortality according to MBRRACE-UK data.  

The review will focus on identifying areas of concern within maternity and neonatal care at the trust, with recommended actions to help improve the safety, quality and equity of maternity care.

While the terms of reference for the review are yet to be agreed, we expect the review to involve case reviews of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and serious incidents, hypoxic injuries and maternal deaths over a 15-year timeframe (1 January 2011 to 31 December 2025).  

Following the successful approach in Nottingham, the inclusion of cases in the review will be based on an opt-out basis, meaning that all families who meet the terms of reference will automatically be included unless they choose otherwise, ensuring that no voices are missed. 

It will also look at the governance, accountability and handling of concerns at the trust when they are raised by women and/or their families and staff members. 

Final decisions will be made following further engagement with Donna Ockenden and families.

While the time-reporting timescale for this review will be confirmed in due course, learning and recommendations will be shared on an ongoing basis with the trust, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to allow rapid action at all levels to improve the safety of maternity care. 

The vast majority of births on the NHS are safe and women should continue to attend all maternity appointments. Women and families are encouraged to raise any concerns with their midwife or healthcare team without hesitation. 

The appointment of the chair of the Leeds independent review follows a suite of measures this government has taken to improve maternity care. Since July 2024, we have:  

• invested over £131 million in 122 infrastructure projects  across 49 NHS trusts to improve safety of neonatal care facilities
• implemented a new programme to reduce the 2 leading causes of avoidable brain injury during labour
• piloted Martha’s Rule in maternity and neonatal units in 14 trusts across 6 regions to give patients and families the right to request a second opinion
• launched a package of initiatives and interventions to reduce stillbirths, neonatal brain injury, neonatal death and preterm birth
• introduced a Perinatal Culture and Leadership Programme to develop a culture of safety, learning and support for leads from all maternity and neonatal units
• created targeted schemes to promote midwife retention and the Graduate Guarantee, so that every qualified nurse and midwife in England can apply to join the health workforce. The latest workforce stats show that, as of November 2025, there are 31,024 midwives working in the NHS, which equates to 25,530 full-time equivalent midwives
• expanded maternal mental health services to help women and extended the Baby Loss Certificate scheme to include all historic losses
• rolled out guidance across the NHS to tackle the leading causes of maternal death including thrombosis, mental health, epilepsy and haemorrhage
• launched an anti-discrimination programme and a system to better identify  safety concerns

NHS England has published an inequalities dashboard, which will support the identification of areas where specific populations face the greatest disparities, enabling tailored interventions and more equitable support.

The Secretary of State:

• has ordered a national maternity investigation, chaired by Baroness Amos. The aim of this rapid, independent investigation is to develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal care across England and reduce inequalities in the delivery of these services
• will chair a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce shortly. The taskforce is specifically designed to ensure the investigations’ recommendations translate into action

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 March 2026.

Boost for patients as the government bolsters the dental workforce by thousands.

• Thousands more dentists will be available to see patients as government helps clear backlog of those waiting to take professional registration exams
• First sustained expansion of dental school places in nearly 2 decades will also allow 50 more dentists to be trained every year from 2027
• Training places to be targeted in so-called dental deserts where patients often have to fight through their teeth to get an appointment

Thousands more dentists will be available to see patients, opening up appointments across the country by boosting places on 2 professional registration exams.

As it stands, thousands of fully qualified dentists from overseas who are often already living in the UK are unable to practise because of limited exam capacity.

In a huge boost for the dental workforce, a total of 2,400 more overseas-trained dentists, many of whom are already living in this country and waiting for the opportunity to help, could be registered annually from 2028 to 2029. 

Thanks to new government investment, final exam places run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England will be increasing nearly tenfold, allowing up to 1,350 overseas-trained dentists to join the General Dental Council’s (GDC) register annually by 2028 and be available to provide dental services – including NHS treatments – in the UK. 

At the same time, the GDC will significantly expand the number of places on its Overseas Registration Exam (ORE), meaning more than 1,000 overseas-trained dentists are expected to join the register annually through this route by 2028 to 2029.

It comes alongside an increase of training places for home-grown dentists, prioritising so-called dental deserts that do not currently train dentists.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

No one in the 21st century should be left in a situation where they cannot access a dentist.

That is why today’s announcement is crucial, as training more dentists and allowing greater numbers of those qualified overseas to practise will put more patients in dental chairs, receiving care when they need it most.

These investments show this government is serious about rebuilding NHS dentistry and laying the foundations to make it fit for the future.

Backed by a one-off £420,000 grant the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) exam, an exam that overseas-trained dentists can take in order to practise in the UK, is being massively expanded, with places on the final part of the exam being increased tenfold from 180 to 1,800 by 2028. 

The GDC’s clinical part of its ORE will increase to 1,500 places, which is expected to deliver more than 1,000 more dentists on the register by 2028 to 2029.

Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at RCS England, said:

RCS England is pleased to work with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to increase the number of places for candidates sitting the LDS examination. This expansion will support more candidates, strengthen the dental workforce and help improve public access to dentistry.

Tom Whiting, Chief Executive and Registrar at the GDC, said: 

Our top priority has been to increase the capacity of the ORE, and I’m pleased that we can offer greater certainty and scale through this new contract. This is good news for candidates. 

More ORE places, along with more students at dental schools and the increase in capacity for the LDS, is great news for the dental workforce and, in turn, patients and the public. 

Sustainable change requires a long-term plan, and working with others, we are committed to playing our part, to support any workforce strategy, including building a comprehensive framework to support international recruitment.

And in a first for nearly 20 years, an extra 50 dentists will be trained in England every year from 2027, with the Office for Students having been asked to prioritise these new training places in so-called dental deserts that do not currently train dentists, for example in rural and coastal areas, where getting an appointment has long felt like mission impossible. 

Dr Katie Petty-Saphon, Chief Executive of the Dental Schools Council, said:  

We are pleased that the government has recognised the urgent need to grow the dental workforce at a time when access to NHS oral healthcare remains a significant challenge for many patients.

Each year, dental schools are forced to turn away talented applicants who show great potential and this increase will allow more future NHS dentists to be admitted.

Dental schools look forward to working with the government to support this expansion, ensuring recruitment follows best practice in widening participation while training NHS-ready dentists and addressing geographical gaps in access to care.

This action is just the beginning, as the government strives to fundamentally reform the dental contract by the end of this Parliament, with a focus on ensuring funding goes where it is needed most, helping more people to get appointments and properly rewarding dentists and their teams for the vital work they do. 

For too long, patients have often had to make the agonising choice between going without dental care, or paying through their nose for private treatment.

Today’s announcement demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to solving this issue and is part of the government’s wider strategy to shift the focus from sickness to prevention, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.

Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair, Association of Dental Groups (ADG), said:  

This is excellent news that ultimately will benefit patients as well as put energy into the dentistry profession. We should soon see an increase of overseas-trained dentists, who are now able to take the robust examinations, joining the GDC’s register – and providing NHS treatments.

The ADG has been pushing for some time for the bottleneck in the registration examination for international dentists to be addressed, having highlighted the craziness of having over 5,000 trained dentists from overseas waiting in the queue to qualify, while we have 2,700 dentist vacancies and not enough home-grown dentists to fill the gap.  This is a creative approach to get things moving and we applaud DHSC’s efforts and agility.   

Increasing UK dental school places is also fantastic news. A career in dentistry is an exciting and rewarding one that UK students should be encouraged to pursue. As always, ADG stands by to advise policymakers and stakeholders to keep the momentum going and ensure that we target the most urgent patient needs in dental deserts.

Eni Muco, an overseas‑qualified dentist from Albania living in the UK and waiting to sit the ORE, said:

I qualified as a dentist in Albania in 2013 and ran my own practice before moving to the UK in 2021 to build a life with my husband. 

I joined the ORE candidate list in 2023 but, after 7 failed attempts to book Part 1, I still can’t sit the exam. The uncertainty has caused financial strain, anxiety and difficult family decisions. 

Expanding exam capacity, fairer allocation and provisional registration would let dentists like me contribute and support the NHS.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 March 2026.

Patients across England will benefit from new bone scanners to diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures.

• 20 new bone scanners to speed up diagnosis of osteoporosis and other bone conditions across England.
• Tens of thousands of patients – particularly women at higher risk – to benefit from earlier treatment and fewer life-changing fractures.
• Builds on first wave of new scanners already in use, helping cut waiting times and prevent illness earlier.

Tens of thousands of patients at risk of osteoporosis and other bone conditions will get faster access to vital bone scans, as 20 new scanners are rolled out across England.

The new machines will help diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures – particularly among older people and women, who are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis.

The funding covers six additional scanners to expand capacity and 14 replacement machines to modernise outdated equipment with improved image quality for patients. It builds on the first wave of 13 scanners announced last year, 10 of which are already in use and helping patients start treatment sooner. Last year (2025), over 16,000 extra DEXA scans were delivered compared to year prior (2024).

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

Too many women are suffering painful, preventable fractures because osteoporosis is diagnosed too late. That has to change.

These new scanners will help thousands of patients get tested sooner, start treatment earlier and avoid the trauma of life-changing breaks.

We are cutting waiting times and modernising the NHS so it works for patients – preventing illness where we can, and delivering care faster for those that need it most.

Dr Lesley Kay, NHS National Clinical Director for Musculoskeletal Conditions, said:

Osteoporosis and other bone conditions can have a devastating effect on patients, so improving access to this specialist technology will make a real difference to people’s lives.

These scanners are the diagnostic gold standard and now tens of thousands more people will be diagnosed at an early stage and treated more quickly, as well as prevented from suffering broken bones.

Osteoporosis affects millions of people in the UK but women are at far greater risk, especially after the menopause. Fractures linked to weak bones can lead to loss of independence, long hospital stays and reduced quality of life. Earlier diagnosis means patients can begin medication and make lifestyle changes to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of breaks.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the expansion marks a significant step forward in tackling a condition that too often goes undiagnosed until a serious fracture occurs.

The scanners – known as DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) machines – measure bone density and are the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk.

Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said:

We welcome this investment in DEXA scanners, which will expand access to bone density testing and deliver on the Government’s election commitment to 15,000 additional scans each year. Early diagnosis is essential.

To ensure every scan leads to effective treatment and fracture prevention, it will now be vital to publish the implementation plan for nationwide Fracture Liaison Services, so patients can move seamlessly from diagnosis to care.

The £2.6 million investment supports the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to cut waiting times, modernise diagnostic services and shift the NHS from treating sickness to preventing illness.

Early diagnosis not only protects patients from harm but also reduces pressure on hospitals and emergency services, where fragility fractures account for significant admissions each year.

The government will continue working with the NHS and partners to strengthen bone health services – from early diagnosis and fracture prevention to follow-up care – so patients receive the right support, wherever they live.

Society of Radiographers President, Katie Thompson, said:

The Society of Radiographers welcomes the government’s investment in 20 new DEXA scanners, recognising the important role this will play in strengthening bone health services and supporting faster, more accurate diagnosis across England. This announcement represents a positive step toward earlier identification of osteoporosis and improved prevention of avoidable, life‑altering fractures.

However, achieving meaningful impact requires more than new equipment. Recent assessments show that many bone health services / fracture liaison services,  are already under significant pressure, with rising demand placing additional strain on existing teams. To ensure this investment delivers its full benefit, it must be accompanied by sustained support for the radiography workforce — including diagnostic radiographers and radiography assistant practitioners, whose expertise is critical to safe, effective service delivery.

With appropriate workforce investment, this programme can deliver long‑term improvements for patients and the wider healthcare system as part of the required investment in fracture liaison services.

Marion Dickson OBE, executive director of Clinical Support and Cancer Services at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:

Securing funding for a DEXA scanner at our Hexham General Hospital site is fantastic news for our patients and staff. 

Patients who need a bone density scan currently have to travel from across the wide area we serve to access this service at North Tyneside General Hospital or Wansbeck General Hospital. For many, especially those with mobility issues or long-term conditions, this can understandably be challenging. 

Having a DEXA scanner in Hexham means more convenient access to the specialist care our communities deserve. It will help us deliver more patient centred care and improve the overall experience for everyone who relies on us.

Louise Koplick, Radiology Team Manager at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:  

The new scanner at Seacroft Hospital will provide a real boost to DXA services and offer patients in our East Leeds communities the option of a bone density test close to home. 

The new fleet of scanners has enabled us to scan over 7,000 patients this year and the addition of one more in Seacroft will relieve capacity at Leeds General Infirmary and Wharfedale Hospital where the others are located. With the latest technology, we can provide scanning options which reduce the need for additional spine x-rays and will support fracture liaison services across the city.

Background

20 New DEXA scanners funded in 2025/26:

• North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Barts Health NHS Trust
• Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
• University Hospital Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
• Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Humber Health Partnership
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Northumbria-healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
• Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
• Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

10 DEXA scanners funded in 2024/25 and currently live:

• Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
• Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 19 February 2026.

Innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction.

• £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction
• Wearable tech, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality projects to be considered
• Part of the government’s Addiction Healthcare Goals (AHG) programme to save and improve lives

Innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million of government funding to develop cutting‑edge medicines, medical technologies and digital tools to tackle drug and alcohol addiction.

Thousands of people die every year from substance misuse and addiction – with hundreds of thousands more suffering.

Grants, delivered through Innovate UK, will support the development and deployment of new technologies designed to improve treatment, strengthen recovery and reduce harm from drug and alcohol addiction.

Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said: 

Addiction ruins lives and we need to look at any way we can help ease the suffering – and aid the recovery – of hundreds of thousands of people.

Embracing new technology will help supplement all the work this government is already doing, including expanding access to vital drugs and providing billions in funding for drug and alcohol prevention treatment and recovery.

Finding new ways to combat the scourge of addiction could save thousands of lives and billions of pounds.

Around 15,000 people die each year in the UK due to alcohol and drugs.

Hundreds of thousands more suffer the effects, which costs England an estimated £47 billion each year.

The AHG Catalysing Innovation Awards – part of the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme led by the Office for Life Sciences – will help reduce this by supporting those working on new medicines, medical devices, wearables, virtual‑reality therapies, treatment apps and AI‑enabled tools.

These innovations have the potential to transform care for people with drug and alcohol addictions by improving treatment outcomes, preventing relapse and reducing the risk of overdose and death.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Cutting-edge medicines and technologies could save thousands of lives lost to alcohol and drug addiction while improving outcomes for hundreds of thousands more.

Backing both late‑stage technologies and earlier‑stage innovations means we are creating a clear and rapid route from breakthrough ideas to real‑world impact.

This is about using the UK’s scientific excellence to prevent avoidable deaths and support recovery, while helping innovative companies to grow and thrive in the UK at the same time.

Professor Anne Lingford‑Hughes, Chair of Addiction Healthcare Goals, said: 

Too many lives are still cut short by drug and alcohol addictions, and healthcare innovations are urgently needed to address the immense personal, mental and physical health and societal impacts they cause.

To meet this challenge, I am pleased to be working with Innovate UK to launch these Catalysing Innovation Awards, supporting the development of the most promising medicines, devices and digital tools to enhance treatment and care.

These awards will support UK companies and innovators to build the evidence needed to show what works in real services, ensuring innovations reach the people who need them sooner, prevent deaths and strengthen recovery.

Dr Stella Peace, Managing Director, Healthy Living and Agriculture, Innovate UK, said:

Working with the Office for Life Sciences, Innovate UK is accelerating the development of cutting‑edge drug and alcohol addiction treatments and interventions to move quickly from research into real‑world services.

By fast‑tracking these innovations into the hands of clinicians and support teams, we can improve outcomes for people with these addictions and drive economic benefit for the UK.

Applications open today (16 February 2026), with awards of up to £10 million available to support late‑stage, high‑impact projects that can demonstrate real‑world effectiveness, UK market readiness and progress towards regulatory approval.

These grants will support projects expected to be close to deployment and capable of delivering impact within health and care services.

A second strand will support earlier‑stage innovations, with awards of up to £1.5 million to help promising technologies demonstrate initial effectiveness, strengthen business planning and help them progress.

Successful projects will also receive exclusive access to an education session from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), supporting innovators to navigate evidence requirements and the pathway to UK certification, approval and roll‑out.

How to apply

Applications for funding close on 6 May 2026.

More information about the funding available and where to apply is on Innovate UK’s website: supporting innovation in drug and alcohol addiction healthcare challenges.

An online briefing event will be held on 19 February to guide organisations through eligibility, scope and the application process. Register for the online event

Background information

The AHG programme is being delivered by the Office for Life Sciences, alongside the dementia, mental health, cancer and obesity Healthcare Goals.

The AHG is working to make the UK a globally leading location for researchers and industry to develop, trial and deploy innovative treatments and technologies which will help people recover from drug and alcohol addictions, save lives and benefit society.

Other opportunities from AHG include the Addiction Healthcare Goals Research Leadership Programme, with over £10 million of funding available, to support career development and training for a pipeline of future leaders in addiction research across the UK.

The AHG programme forms part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s ambition to deliver a world-class treatment and recovery system for people experiencing drug and alcohol addictions.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 February 2026.

New vaccination campaign launched to boost uptake of childhood immunisations.

• National campaign launches today to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated
• Routine childhood immunisation prevents around 5,000 deaths and 228,000 hospital admissions every year in England
• Parents encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status and raise awareness in their communities

More children’s lives would be saved if they were vaccinated against deadly diseases so the government is today launching a new childhood immunisation campaign.

Illnesses like measles can spread very easily between children who are not vaccinated, as we are currently seeing in North London.

Parents will now have easy access to trusted information on childhood vaccines through the government’s new campaign, helping them understand the protection vaccines provide and making it simpler to keep children healthy.

Illnesses like measles can spread very easily between children who are not vaccinated. The United Kingdom recently lost its World Health Organization (WHO) measles elimination status after over 2,900 cases of measles were confirmed in England in 2024, the highest levels recorded in decades. At the same time childhood vaccination rates were, and still are, well below the 95% WHO uptake target needed to prevent measles outbreaks. 

Failing to vaccinate children leaves them unprotected against diseases that are easily preventable through free NHS vaccinations.

The ‘Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated’ campaign encourages parents to ensure their children receive their routine childhood immunisations and aren’t put at unnecessary risk.

Separately parents are also being encouraged not only to ensure their own children are fully up to date, but also to help raise awareness among family, friends and their wider communities about the importance of routine immunisation.

Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister said:

Vaccination is one of the greatest public health successes of our time, protecting children from serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases. But with vaccination rates falling and the UK losing its measles elimination status, it’s vital we act now. 

Our campaign will help parents get clear, trusted information about childhood vaccines and the protection they offer. 

By making vaccines easier to access — including the introduction of chickenpox protection into the childhood programme with the MMRV vaccine — we are supporting families to keep their children safe and healthy, while helping to protect communities across the country.

Routine childhood immunisations are free and highly effective — they are the safest way to protect our children’s health. UKHSA estimates that childhood vaccinations prevent around 5,000 deaths and more than 228,000 hospital admissions in England every year.

The government campaign, developed with support from NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency, aims to reverse the decline in uptake by providing clear, trusted information and making it easier than ever for families to access vaccines, including new protection against chickenpox through the combined MMRV vaccine, following on from successful flu and maternal vaccination campaigns.

Aimed at the parents of children aged 0 to five-years-old, it will include:

• A new 30-second TV and video on demand advert
• Online video, social media content and digital display advertising.
• Gaming and parenting forum partnerships including with Netmums and Mumsnet

This year NHS has introduced protection against chickenpox into the childhood programme – with the MMRV vaccine protecting children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in a single jab.

Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions, second only to clean water. Immunisation protects millions of children from severe illness, long-term complications and death globally each year. 

These programmes protect against a wide range of serious diseases, including measles, whooping cough, meningitis, polio and diphtheria. As well as directly protecting vaccinated children, many vaccines also reduce transmission across the population, helping to protect those who are too young or too vulnerable to be vaccinated.

The MMRV vaccine includes protection against varicella (chickenpox) and the second dose is offered earlier — at 18 months — to ensure more children are fully protected before starting school.

The varicella vaccine costs parents around £150 for a full two-dose course if accessed privately. The MMRV vaccine is available free on the NHS for eligible children, removing cost barriers and helping ensure equitable access to protection for families.

Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination, said:

Childhood vaccines have protected generations of children from devastating diseases for decades, yet too many children are still missing out on vital protection.

We’re urging all parents to check their children are up to date with their recommended vaccinations and to book an appointment through their GP practice when invited– it’s quick, it’s free, and it could save their life.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director Immunisation at UK Health Security Agency:

A decade of falling vaccination rates means that many children remain unprotected from serious but preventable diseases. Measles, whooping cough and other diseases spread quickly in unvaccinated children and can have devastating consequences . The NHS childhood vaccination programme offers the best protection to children against 13 diseases.

It’s important that parents can easily get clear, trusted information and this campaign reminds parents of the overwhelming benefits of vaccines and to check their children are up to date – it’s never too late to catch-up for vaccines such as MMRV. By taking up the NHS offer, which now also includes protection against chickenpox, parents are helping give their children the very best start in life.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 February 2026.

Early Support Hubs across England to receive a £7 million funding boost to bolster services for young people.

• 10,000 extra interventions to help young people facing mental health challenges.
• Delivers on 10 Year Health Plan commitment to extend mental health support for children and young people. 
• Comes as nation marks Children and Young People’s Mental Health Week. 

Thousands more young people will get the mental health support they need thanks to a £7 million funding boost for Early Support Hubs across England. 

Early Support Hubs are community-based services, which provide drop-in mental health support for young people aged 11-25 with a range of issues, helping to prevent more severe mental illness without the need for a referral or doctor’s appointment.  

The investment will allow the 24 existing hubs to expand services in local communities, delivering 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions over the next twelve months. This could include counselling, group work, therapeutic support and specialist advice. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: 

No young person should suffer in silence with their mental health. We’re investing in the wellbeing of the next generation, making sure every young person has the best start in life and the support they need to grow, to flourish, and to thrive. 

Early Support Hubs are already making a real difference and this funding boost will expand services to support more young people in communities across the country. 

Alongside this, we’re investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this year and are well on our way to recruiting 8,500 additional mental health workers across children’s and adult services.

Findings from the Early Support Hubs programme will shape the government’s plans for the rollout Young Futures Hubs, informing how open-access mental health care is delivered in the future.  

There is a high demand for mental health services within communities. In 2023, approximately 1 in 5 people aged 8 to 25 years had a mental disorder. 

Early Support Hubs are a step towards meeting that demand. Research also indicates the hubs attract groups that are less likely to engage with traditional NHS or school-based services, including older teenagers and those from an ethnic minority background.  

Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey said: 

Every young person deserves access to mental health support when they need it, without barriers or long waits. 

Early Support Hubs are making a real difference in communities, complementing the rollout of mental health support teams in all schools in England which has already reached six in ten children. 

These services are vital so that every young person can achieve and thrive, getting timely support in their local areas, whether that’s group sessions, or simply a safe space to talk.

Des Fletcher, a young person who has received support from the Early Support Hub, Young Devon said:  

I have struggled with anxiety and low mood which has had a big impact on my life. Young Devon is the only service that actually gives that time, effort and non-judgemental space for me to be me. 

Support like this is so important for young people that might be struggling. I hope that young people in every community can have a place like this to turn to for their mental health and wellbeing.

Funding for Early Support Hubs is just one of the many ways this government is supporting young people’s mental health, including investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this year, hiring 7,000 additional mental health workers, as well as accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges. 

Landmark legislation to reform the Mental Health Act has also strengthened the rights of children and young people around their care and treatment.  

This government is building an NHS fit for the future, giving mental health the attention it deserves, creating the healthiest ever generation of children, and ensuring everyone receives the support they need, closer to home. 

Connie Muttock, Head of Policy at the Centre for Young Lives, said:  

Childhood is a crucial window where the right support can be transformational. Early Support Hubs can be a lifeline, providing accessible, youth-friendly community spaces meeting young people’s needs holistically.  

The decision to extend funding for these vital services is welcome, and we very much hope this is the first part of a large and long-term package of support to match the scale of the mental health crisis young people are currently coping with alone.

Gemma Byrne, Policy and Influencing Manager at Mind, said:  

We’re delighted to see the extension of funding for 24 early support hubs around the country.

As children, young people and their families navigate long waiting lists, these hubs are a lifeline offering tailored support in the heart of local communities without needing a referral.

We now need to see a national commitment to delivering a hub in every local authority area by 2035, to make sure every young person with a mental health problem can get the care they need before reaching crisis point.

Andy Bell, Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health, said: 

Today’s announcement to extend funding for 24 early support hubs for young people’s mental health is a welcome step and will make a real difference. We have long called for a national rollout of hubs so that all children and young people can access timely, community-based mental health support. 

It is vital that insights from this programme shape the Government’s plans for Young Futures Hubs, informing how open-access mental health provision is delivered and sustained. As set out in the Government’s manifesto, this must mean genuinely open access, co-produced with young people, with mental health support available up to the age of 25.

Cassandra Harrison, CEO of Youth Access said:  

We welcome the Government’s decision to extend funding for 24 early support hubs for another year.

These hubs make a real difference to thousands of young people struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, providing vital, community-based support and advice that helps prevent problems from escalating and eases pressure on the NHS.

It is now essential that there is a clear plan for the long-term sustainability and expansion of these hubs, ensuring that community-based support remains at the heart of the national approach to children and young people’s mental health.

Jack O’Neill, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Influencing, The Children’s Society said:  

This will come as a relief to the thousands of young people who rely on early support when problems first surface, before they escalate into crisis or cause lasting harm.

 The extra year of funding provides vital breathing space as demand from young people continues to rise across the country. But this must be more than a stopgap. It is crucial that this work shapes the future of local services young people depend on. There is little sense in redesigning the system without securing and building on what we already know works.