Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 9 October 2025.

Review of GP funding formula expected to deliver fairer distribution of funding and address health inequalities.

• Major changes planned to boost support for communities across the country and tackle health inequalities
• Communities – including more deprived and coastal areas – expected to benefit from a fairer distribution of GP funding
• Comes as online GP appointment booking requests are now available, in move to end the 8am scramble

Communities across the country, including those in more deprived areas and coastal towns, are expected to benefit from a fairer distribution of GP funding as the government launches a review to tackle healthcare inequalities across the NHS today (9 October 2025).

The current formula for distributing GP funding, known as the Carr-Hill formula, is based on data that is around 25 years old in some cases. The formula uses expected workload of GP practices to determine distribution of funding for GP practices across England.

People in more deprived areas and coastal towns often have the highest needs for the NHS, but the fewest GPs, the worst-performing services and the longest waits.

Data shows that, on average, the GP practices that close for good are in areas with areas of higher deprivation (PDF, 1MB). The impact is inequality of access, with the GP patient survey showing that people living in the most deprived areas of the country find it the hardest to contact their GP over the phone, website or app. Nearly two-thirds of people in the most deprived areas reported a good experience when contacting their GP, compared with nearly three-quarters of those living in the least deprived.

For example, in London, there are 2,501 patients per GP compared to the south-west, where there are 1,967 patients per GP – meaning there are over 500 more patients per GP in the country’s capital – with the poorest areas of the city facing the widest disparities. This worsens health inequalities, with more people in these areas spending more of their lives in ill health and with a lower life expectancy as a result.

Analysis by the Nuffield Trust shows that practices in poorer areas employ fewer GPs, with a worse average patient experience and poorer Care Quality Commission Ratings.

Evidence from the Health Foundation also suggests that GP practices which serve more deprived areas of the country are receiving nearly 10% less funding per patient than practices in more affluent areas.

For example, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) calculated their funding requirements based on the needs of the local population – as opposed to workload – and found there was a vast disparity in the distribution in funding, with 1 in 5 practices receiving 10% too little or too much funding, and 1 in 15 practices facing an even bigger gap of 15%. The practices that had a shortfall were in the most deprived areas. Shortfalls in funding can lead to reduced services and inequality of access to primary care services. The ICB supported those areas with a shortfall by providing additional funding.

The Chief Medical Officer’s 2021 annual report on coastal communities noted that in Morecambe, over the last 20 years, it has been challenging to recruit and retain GPs and experienced practice nurses to tackle the significant health challenges and concluded that changes to the funding formulas could support deprived coastal areas, like Morecambe, with longstanding workforce recruitment difficulties.

The government has put general practice at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan, as part of the major shift from hospital to community.

To deliver this shift the government has:

• invested an additional £1.1 billion in general practice
• funded 2 above-inflation pay increases
• recruited over 2,000 more GPs
• made online booking available to patients across the country

Ahead of his attendance at the Royal College of General Practitioners conference in Newport today, Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

The way GP funding is allocated is outdated and no longer fit for purpose – with more deprived areas and coastal communities across the country experiencing the highest levels of inequality.

With GPs at the heart of our 10 Year Health Plan, it is vital that we don’t leave any community behind and that we end the postcode lottery of care.

As we invest in primary care, we must prioritise the areas and communities which have the most need to drive health improvements and close the gap on these health disparities.

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England National Director for Primary Care, said:

It is essential that GP practices serving our most deprived communities, where health challenges are often greatest, receive a fair share of resources that reflects their need.

By overhauling GP funding for the first time in 2 decades, the NHS can better help people to get the support they need as GPs and their teams deliver record numbers of appointments for their communities.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

A review of the funding formula for general practice is long overdue and something the college has called for, alongside an uplift in funding for general practice overall.

A patient’s postcode and where they live should not determine the level of NHS care they receive. It can’t be right that people in deprived communities – who often have more complex health needs and would therefore potentially benefit from health interventions most – are less likely to receive it, because GPs in deprived areas are responsible for hundreds more patients per head on average than those practising in more affluent areas.

We look forward to feeding into this review and working alongside the government to ensure that a new funding model works for practices, recognises and addresses health inequalities, and ensures that funding is directed towards the areas of greatest need.

Dr Duncan Gooch, GP and chair of the NHS Confederation’s Primary Care Network, said:

We welcome the government’s announcement to start the review of the Carr-Hill formula. It’s an important opportunity to ensure that funding for general practice truly reflects the needs of today’s patients and communities. The formula must take proper account of factors such as deprivation, population growth and the rising complexity of health needs – as well as the increasing workload facing practices.

If we want to tackle health inequalities and strengthen primary care at the heart of a neighbourhood health service, this review needs to deliver a fairer, more future-focused funding model.

Jacob Lant, CEO of National Voices, said:

Reviewing the Carr-Hill formula was one of our core asks of the 10 Year Health Plan, as it’s fundamental to the government realising its commitment to reduce health inequalities. It has long been hard to square that the most deprived communities receive the least GP funding and changing this formula is an important step to ensuring better and fairer access, a founding principle of the NHS.

The 6-month review will launch today and will be conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The review will:

• identify a new allocation formula
• assess the impact and feasibility of implementing it while ensuring it aligns to the government’s 10 Year Health Plan
• make an overall recommendation to replace the outdated Carr-Hill formula

GP practices in England are now required to keep online consultation tools open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday – freeing up phone lines and helping to end the 8am scramble.

The move will tackle health inequalities by supporting patients – no matter where they are – in being seen and treated quicker.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 8 October 2025.

The government has published a call for evidence to seek expert views on introducing new rules for retailers selling tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.

• Only shops with licences will be able to sell vapes, tobacco and nicotine products to protect children and clean up high streets as part of Plan for Change
• Call for evidence also seeks expert views on flavours, ingredients and appearance to tackle youth vaping
• Proposals will strengthen enforcement, support legitimate businesses and crack down on rogue retailers

Children will be better protected from the risks of vaping as part of government proposals to introduce new rules for retailers selling tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.

For the first time, shops would need a licence to sell these products – closing a major gap in the law. Currently, any business can sell tobacco or vapes without one. This has allowed rogue traders to sell illicit products on the high street, often targeted at children with cheap, colourful vapes in shops that sell sweets and toys.

The proposed new licensing scheme will root out rogue operators, give enforcement officers stronger powers to shut them down and protect legitimate retailers. 

It is part of a call for evidence published today that will help shape regulations as part of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will create a smoke-free generation and protect children and young people from a lifetime of addiction.

The government is also seeking views from experts on the flavours, nicotine strength, and appearance of vapes as part of a series of measures to tackle youth vaping. 

Health Minister, Stephen Kinnock, said: 

We aim to close a major gap in the law – making it necessary for shops to hold a licence to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products. 

Our new proposals will better protect children by rooting out the rogue retailers blighting our high streets and help adults know which shops are selling legitimate products. 

We want expert views on how we can develop the strongest possible regulations to protect our children as part of our Plan for Change, while ensuring adult smokers can still use vapes to quit smoking.

Only responsible businesses will be allowed to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products under the proposals. Those caught breaking the rules face unlimited fines or on-the-spot penalties of £2,500. 

In addition to licensing, the government’s call for evidence is seeking views from retailers, manufacturers, public health experts, charities, academics and health professionals, as well as members of the public on:

• flavours and ingredients – to better understand the ingredients, which substances should be allowed in vapes and nicotine products, and what risks their emissions may pose as well as understanding where efforts to control flavours have been successful 
• nicotine strength – to better understand safe levels for vapes and nicotine pouches so products do not deliver dangerously high doses
• design and appearance – the size, shape and features of vapes and tobacco-related devices, including whether devices with digital screens should be restricted
• industry compliance – introducing a new registration system for every tobacco, vape or nicotine product sold in the country. This would help to stop unsafe or misleading products onto the market and give both consumers and retailers greater confidence in what is being sold

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, will also ban the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products, and provide powers for regulating flavours, packaging, and how and where vapes and nicotine products are displayed in shops. 

A separate consultation on introducing smoke-free and vape-free places, restrictions on vape packaging and changing how and where they are displayed in shops, will follow next year. 

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said:

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a world leading piece of legislation with the potential to dramatically change how tobacco and vapes are sold – bringing in a smoke-free generation, taking us closer to a smoke-free country and protecting children from vaping.

Ensuring the regulations are shaped by the best available evidence is vital to ensure the bill has its intended impact.

Research from King’s College London and University College London strongly suggests that selling vapes in plain packaging could reduce the number of children taking up vaping while still providing a useful tool for adults to quit smoking. 

It found 53% of children aged 11 to 18 surveyed felt their peers would be interested in trying vapes when shown branded packaging and flavours but this dropped to 38% with plain packaging and descriptions of flavours. Among adults the interest remained similar. 

While vaping is less harmful than smoking and can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and adult non-smokers should never vape.

Background information 

This call for evidence will inform secondary legislation supporting the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will create a smoke-free generation by preventing anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 from being sold tobacco products. The bill is at committee stage in the House of Lords. 

Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposals, retailers selling without a licence in England and Wales could face unlimited fines in court or fixed penalties of £2,500, while in Northern Ireland, courts will be able to impose fines of up to £5,000. 

Retail licensing of tobacco is a popular intervention with retailers and the public. A 2023 ASH report on public support for government action on tobacco showed that 83% of the public support tobacco retail licensing. 

The detail of the topics captured in the call for evidence, including the licensing scheme, will be subject to a future consultation. 

Many of the ingredients in e-liquids and nicotine products were originally developed for ingestion, not inhalation after heating or absorption. Furthermore, the law currently allows for a wide variety of shapes, sizes and features among vapes. For example, some vapes can have digital screens, or can look like stationery. We are seeking evidence on where regulation and further restrictions may be necessary.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 7 October 2025.

The time it takes to approve clinical trials in the UK has been cut by more than half – from an average of 91 days to just 41 days – following major reforms backed by new digital platforms at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), new research confirms.

This means patients can safely access promising new treatments – from cancer therapies to rare disease studies – several weeks sooner than before.

The progress helps support the Prime Minster’s ambition to turbocharge clinical research, to fast-track clinical trials and reduce set-up time to less than 150 days by March 2026.

Findings published this week (6 October) in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (BJCP), show the reforms are delivering consistently strong results, with 99 per cent of applications reviewed within statutory timelines, and most completed well ahead of target.

The study is the first comprehensive review of the MHRA’s new way of reviewing trials based on their level of risk, introduced in 2023, showing how it speeds up review timelines while protecting patient safety.

A fast-track route allows some lower-risk studies to be approved in just 14 days. For example, under the 14-day notification scheme, a haemophilia A trial was able to begin several weeks earlier than expected, giving patients with this serious bleeding disorder faster access to potentially life-changing therapy.

Building on this, artificial intelligence (AI) is now being introduced to further support assessors – helping review complex data and improve consistency – while final decisions continue to rest with experienced assessors to ensure patient safety.

The reforms also support wider Government efforts to modernise the UK’s research landscape through the 10 Year Health Plan – streamlining trial setup by slashing red tape, simplifying paperwork and introducing a national standardised contract to remove months of delay.

Millions of people will also be able to search for and sign up to lifechanging clinical trials, via the NIHR Be Part of Research service on the NHS App, allowing patients to browse and find the trials best suited to their interests and needs.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

“We are halving approval times and streamlining processes, so NHS patients are at the front of the queue and receiving life-changing treatments faster than ever before.

“As we shift from analogue to digital, we are harnessing AI alongside cutting red tape and reforming bureaucratic processes so patients can receive medicines in just 41 days instead of 91.

“We are getting on with modernising our NHS for patients and making it fit for the future – because when someone is fighting for their health, every day matters.”

MHRA Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon said:

“These reforms put patients first, helping them access innovative treatments sooner while maintaining the highest safety standards. They also give researchers and global companies the certainty they need to plan and invest here in the UK. By more than halving approval times through digital tools with proportionate oversight that prioritises patient safety, we are increasing the efficiency and attractiveness of the UK’s clinical trial ecosystem and reinforcing our global reputation as a leading destination for cutting-edge research.”

How digital reforms are transforming clinical trial approvals

AI is helping support clinical trial assessors, scanning thousands of pages of data to flag potential issues for human review. Two new bespoke MHRA AI tools are taking this further. The Knowledge Hub helps assessors spot common issues seen in past applications, so they can give trial sponsors clearer, higher-quality advice from the start – helping well-designed trials get underway sooner. The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Compliance Checker verifies manufacturing documents in seconds instead of hours, freeing up experts to focus on complex safety assessments.

Meanwhile, digital dashboards provide real-time visibility of all active applications in the UK’s trial portfolio, helping the MHRA track performance and deliver more predictable timelines.

The MHRA’s Combined Review process with the Health Research Authority runs ethical and regulatory assessments in parallel, cutting duplication for researchers and industry, offering a single, streamlined route into the UK system.

Together, these tools mean the UK can maintain rigorous safety standards and handle increasingly complex studies, such as advanced cell and gene therapies or personalised treatments, without slowing down.

Proven results of a risk-proportionate approach

The BJCP analysis conducted by the MHRA in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, reviewed more than 4,600 clinical trials initial applications and amendments in the first year of the MHRA’s risk-proportionate approach, launched with patient input in August 2023. Almost all initial applications (99 per cent) were completed within the statutory 30-day timeframe, and 99.9% of amendments within 35 days – with many decisions delivered well ahead of target.

Professor Andrea Manfrin, MHRA Deputy Director, Clinical Investigations and Trials, and lead author of the study, said:

“The data confirms that our new approach is delivering for both patients and researchers, to create a system that is safe, faster, fairer and more predictable. Digital innovation and risk-proportionate oversight mean lower-risk studies can move ahead without unnecessary delay, while higher-risk trials still receive the detailed expert review they require. Researchers can know they’re in good hands, with a regulator ready to support complex, next-generation therapies – and patients can be confident that safety always comes first.”

Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, co-author of the study at the University of Liverpool, said:

“The data on the risk proportionate approach are impressive showing that 99% of clinical trial applications are being completed within the statutory timelines. This is excellent news for trialists and for patients getting access to innovative medicines. It is always going to be important to continually review how well the system is working, ensuring that patient safety is the foremost priority in the assessment of the clinical trial applications.”

Building on success

The reforms deliver on government commitments in the 10 Year Health Plan for England and Life Sciences Sector Plan, and support the Prime Minister’s pledge to turbocharge clinical research and cut clinical trial set-up times to just 150 days.

The MHRA is now building on this progress. Its first nationwide study of the UK clinical trial landscape also highlighted opportunities to improve diversity in research, address under-represented conditions, and attract greater international investment.

New legislation coming into force in April 2026 will embed these reforms further. All UK clinical trials will be required to publicly register and publish their results, including easy-to-read summaries for participants. This means for the first time patients will be able to see, in plain language, what a study found – a move that could help strengthen trust in science and encourage more people to take part in research.

The legislation will also give sponsors more flexibility, by extending the deadline to respond to regulator feedback from 14 to 60 days – helping align with international trial timelines.

Together, these changes position the UK as a global leader in clinical research – offering speed, certainty and innovation while maintaining rigorous standards that protect patients and build public confidence in medical research.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 October 2025.

• Matthew Hood OBE has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care
• Matthew will work closely with Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, and be focused on delivery of the government’s priorities and the work of the department’s delivery unit during this period of reform

The Secretary of State has made clear his plan for delivery during a period of reform and transformation of the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. Matt will work with the department’s delivery unit to help ensure that the government and department deliver on their commitments, co-ordinate across the health and care system and provide advice on emerging challenges.

Matthew is the former chief executive and co-founder of Oak National Academy. He has held senior roles in public service delivery and brings direct experience of leading organisations during periods of significant change.

The appointment is a paid role, which began on 17 September 2025.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 October 2025.

From today, patients will be able to request appointments online throughout the day rather than calling their surgery or visiting in person.

• Phone lines unclogged as all GP practices in England now required to keep online consultation tools open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
• Move takes best of the NHS to rest of the NHS – with one surgery already cutting waits from 14 to 3 days and most patients seen within one week
• Comes alongside an extra £1.1 billion funding for general practice and over 2,000 more GPs hired

GP phone lines across the country will be freed up as practices are now required to keep their online consultation tools running throughout the day, in a major step towards the government’s ambition of ending the 8am scramble.

From today (1 October 2025), patients will be able to request appointments, ask questions and describe symptoms online throughout the day rather than calling their surgery or visiting in person. This will help free up practice phone lines for those who need them most, and make it more convenient to access appointments.

Online access is not consistent across the country and is especially difficult in overlooked areas. Some GP practices turn online requests off when they reach a certain number, while others only have the online function available for a few hours a day. When patients can’t get through on the phone, 6.6% end up in A&E, which is worse for them and more expensive for the taxpayer. By fixing the front door of the NHS, these reforms will help to ease pressures on other parts of the health service.

Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

We promised to tackle the 8am scramble and make it easier for patients to access their GP practice – and through our Plan for Change, that’s exactly what we’re delivering.

We are bringing our analogue health service into the digital era, giving patients greater choice and convenience. We’ve learned from GPs who are already offering this service and reaping the rewards.

We’ve invested an extra £1.1 billion in general practice – the biggest increase in over a decade – and hired an extra 2,000 GPs across England. There’s more to do, but this government is fixing the front door to the NHS.

This change was agreed with the BMA back in April, as part of the reforms the government made to the GP contract.

To ensure all GPs provide this service and meet demand, the government is providing unprecedented support for general practice and shifting care and vital resources to the community. This includes investing an additional £1.1 billion in general practice – the biggest increase in over a decade – and hiring an extra 2,000 GPs since July 2024. This has led to 5 million more appointments being delivered this year compared to last, with latest ONS data showing 3 in 4 patients now find it easy to contact their practice.

The new requirement for online access represents best practice that some GP practices across England have already adopted successfully. Evidence shows that where practices have moved to this ‘modern general practice’ approach, both staff and patients report improved service quality.

One London GP surgery that adopted this approach to online requests reduced waits from 14 days to just 3, with 95% of patients seen within a week.

Online patient submissions have grown significantly, with almost 6 million submissions in July 2025 compared to 3.4 million in July 2024, demonstrating growing patient preference for digital access options that fit around their daily lives.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:

Improving access to general practice is a top priority for the NHS and while latest data shows a record 3 in 4 people found it easy to contact their GP, there is much more to do – which is why requiring all practices to keep their online consultation tools open during core hours is so vital.  

This step will help modernise general practice by making online access as easy as calling or walking in to your practice, ensuring the phone lines are available for those who need them most and making it easier for practices to triage patients based on clinical need.

NHS England has provided extensive support to help practices implement the changes, including a peer support programme and case studies from practices already offering online access throughout core hours.

Practices are now also required to publish a new patient charter dubbed ‘You and Your GP’ on their websites – informing patients what they can expect from their practice and how to give feedback or raise concerns. Practices are now required to have clear processes in place to receive patient feedback or concerns so they can be swiftly addressed.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:

Online booking systems are a fundamental building block of a 21st century NHS, but until now implementation has been frustratingly patchy.

The best GP practices have shown what’s possible. Through this announcement the government, in keeping with the founding principles of the NHS, is rightly making this offer universal.

It is true that primary care is under immense pressure, but the answer to managing demand has to be in using these digital systems more effectively.

Dr Duncan Gooch, GP and chair of the Primary Care Network at the NHS Confederation said:

We know that access to GP services has consistently topped the public’s priorities. The ‘8am GP scramble’ is one of the most frustrating issues for the public when trying to book an appointment, and for practices – resulting in a strain on primary care. Providing patients with a range of routes to access their practice – such as by telephone, online or walk-in – can help ensure fair access to advice and treatment.

We also recognise that GPs may fear that this will lead to uncontrolled demand which impacts on patient safety. However, many of our members are operating in this way already and have been positive about the impact – not only on patients, but on the workforce too. Managing demand and providing better access has reduced stress on staff, conflict with patients and created a positive environment where job satisfaction is high.

This is not to take away from the fact that we still need more investment into general practice and GPs to help stem the increasing turnover and provide patients with the service they need.

Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said: 

Patients often tell us how frustrating they find the early-morning scramble for on-the-day GP appointments. Many people are stuck in long phone queues, only to be told all the appointment slots have gone. People also tell us that online booking systems can be unpredictable – switched on and off at different times during the day with little notice.

Giving people the ability to contact their GP using the booking method that most suits them, at any time during their surgery’s core hours, is a welcome shift. This move will help improve consistency, give patients greater choice, and mean they can fit appointment booking around work or caring responsibilities.  

It’s now up to NHS commissioners to ensure this change is felt nationwide so patients no longer face a postcode lottery when booking a GP appointment.

To make sure those most in need are prioritised, GPs are now also being incentivised to identify patients who would benefit most from seeing the same GP at every appointment, so more patients see their regular doctor each appointment.  

Patients will also benefit from over 8.3 million more appointments each year as over 1,000 doctors surgeries receive a bricks and mortar upgrade to modernise practices under the government’s Plan for Change.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 23 September 2025.

Patients with a potentially deadly illness will be diagnosed sooner thanks to a new life-saving patient safety initiative called Jess’s Rule.

• GPs across England to take ‘3 strikes and rethink approach’ after 3 appointments – as Jess’s Rule rolled out nationwide to prevent avoidable deaths
• Move will save lives and help catch serious, deadly conditions earlier, particularly in young people
• Named after Jessica Brady, who tragically died of cancer aged 27 after 20 appointments at her GP surgery failed to diagnose her condition

Patients with a potentially deadly illness will be diagnosed sooner through a new life-saving patient safety initiative called Jess’s Rule that is being rolled out across the NHS in England today (23 September 2025).

Jess’s Rule is named in memory of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27, and will help avoid tragic, preventable deaths as GPs are supported to catch potentially deadly illnesses sooner. 

In the 5 months leading up to her death, Jessica had more than 20 appointments with her GP practice but eventually had to seek private healthcare. She was later diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. With such an advanced disease there was no available treatment. She was admitted into hospital where she died 3 weeks later.

The new initiative will ask GPs to think again if, after 3 appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis, or the patient’s symptoms have escalated.

While many GP practices already use similar approaches in complex cases, Jess’s Rule will make this standard practice across the country, aiming to reduce health inequalities and ensuring everyone – no matter their age or background – receives the same high standard of care.

Designed in collaboration with the chair of Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England, Jess’s Rule will help to catch serious conditions earlier and support GPs with guidelines that bolster their clinical judgement, while encouraging them to reflect, review and rethink if they are uncertain about a patient’s condition.

Jess’s mum Andrea Brady said:

Jess lived for just 3 short weeks following her terminal cancer diagnosis. Despite her shock and devastation, she showed unfailing courage, positivity, dignity and love. Jess was determined that people should understand how desperately she had tried to advocate for herself and seek a resolution for her declining health.

In the bleak weeks following the loss of Jess, I realised it was my duty to continue what she had started. It has taken nearly 5 years to bring about Jess’s Rule. I would like to dedicate this initiative to all the young people who have been diagnosed too late.

It has only been made possible because of the people who have listened – politicians, medics and the nearly half a million who supported the campaign.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

Jessica Brady’s death was a preventable and unnecessary tragedy. I want to thank her courageous family, who have campaigned tirelessly through unimaginable grief to ensure Jessica’s legacy helps to save the lives of others.  

Patient safety must be the bedrock of the NHS, and Jess’s Rule will make sure every patient receives the thorough, compassionate and safe care that they deserve, while supporting our hardworking GPs to catch potentially deadly illnesses.

I don’t want any family to endure the pain Jessica’s family have been through. This government will learn from such tragedies and is taking decisive action to improve patient safety.

Jess’s Rule could support GPs to ensure continuity of care for patients with persistent health concerns. This could involve arranging face-to-face consultations if previous appointments were remote, conducting thorough physical examinations, or ordering additional diagnostic tests.

It also encourages GPs to review patient records comprehensively, seek second opinions from colleagues, and consider specialist referrals when appropriate.

Research shows that younger patients and those from ethnic minority backgrounds often face delays in diagnosis of serious conditions, as their symptoms may not match typical presentation patterns seen in older or White patients.

A report from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation on cancer diagnosis in younger people and people of minority ethnicities found that half of 16 to 24 year olds required 3 or more interactions with a healthcare professional from a GP practice before being diagnosed with cancer, compared to 1 in 5 across the whole population. 

Jess’s Rule emphasises the need to remain alert to symptoms that might suggest serious conditions, regardless of a patient’s age or ethnicity, thereby reducing health inequalities.

Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director at NHS England, said:

I am very humbled by the efforts of Andrea and Simon Brady, who have campaigned for this important initiative which will undoubtedly save lives by avoiding missed or delayed diagnoses and ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time.

Many clinicians already apply a version of ‘3 strikes and rethink’ in their routine practice, but Jess’s Rule formalises this instinctive approach, providing a consistent structure to support reflection and timely action for patients.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of RCGP, said:

No GP will ever want to miss signs of serious illness, such as cancer. Ensuring a timely diagnosis often means better outcomes for patients – but many conditions, including many cancers, are challenging to identify in primary care because the symptoms are often similar to other, less serious and more common conditions. Alternative diagnoses are often more likely, particularly when considering risk factors such as age.

If a patient repeatedly presents with the same or similar symptoms, but the treatment plan does not seem to be making them better – or their condition is deteriorating – it is best practice to review the diagnosis and consider alternative approaches. We hope that by formalising this with Jess’s Rule, it will remind GPs to keep this at the forefront of their minds. The college has also worked with Jess Brady’s family and the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust to develop an educational resource for GPs on the early diagnosis of cancer in young adults, based around the principles of Jess’s Rule.

Jessica Brady’s legacy will ensure that patient voice is at the heart of healthcare – a key commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

This initiative, targeting primary care, builds on the recent rollout of Martha’s Rule to every acute hospital in England, which empowers patients, families and carers to request urgent clinical reviews if they are concerned about deteriorating conditions not being adequately addressed.

Jess’s Rule is just one of the ways the government is supporting GPs to provide world class healthcare for patients as part of the Plan for Change.

This includes recruiting over 2,000 extra GPs in a year, providing vital cash for over 1,000 GP surgeries to create additional space to see more patients, and securing a record funding boost for practices – over £1 billion in 2025 to 2026. Public satisfaction with GP services is finally on the rise, with 73.6% of patients describing their GP experience as “good” according to recent ONS statistics, up 6.2% since July 2024.

By catching illnesses at earlier stages, Jess’s Rule will help reduce hospital backlogs, improve outcomes for patients and save lives.

Jess’s Rule is an initiative overseen by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and endorsed by RCGP. 

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 September 2025.

An ‘Advice and Guidance’ scheme – backed by £80 million – that enables GPs to liaise with specialists, saw 113,000 more patients receive quicker care in April.

Thousands more people are being treated quicker by community-based services rather than waiting for hospital care thanks to increased use of GP guidance
GPs are getting early expert advice to help direct patients to the care they need quicker including services like dietitians, physiotherapists and sexual health experts
Part of the Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS, the common sense approach means patients get seen quicker and unnecessary pressure is reduced on hospital services
Over 113,000 more people got appropriate care quicker in April thanks to the common sense ‘Advice and Guidance’ scheme that enables GP to lean on specialists straight after seeing patients rather than sending them to wait for a hospital appointment.

GPs can quickly consult clinicians who advise if patients need to be treated in hospital or not – referring them to wider services instead, like dietitians, physiotherapists and sexual health experts.

This means patients can start more appropriate treatment sooner, stopping thousands waiting weeks unnecessarily for a hospital appointment, only to be referred back.

With 99% of general practices now signed up since incentives were announced in April, this has allowed thousands more patients to receive care for conditions months sooner, avoiding an average 13-week wait to begin treatment.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

Through our Plan for Change, we’re taking a common sense approach that’s tapping into existing expertise in the system, making use of wider services, and getting patients the right care faster.

Over 100,000 people have avoided unnecessary hospital queues because GPs are bypassing waiting lists and going direct to specialists for expert advice. It means quicker care for patients closer to home, less pressure on hospitals and more time for doctors to focus on those who need them most.

It’s a win-win to deliver care closer to home, and create a more efficient, joined-up NHS that’s improving patient outcomes.

The scheme has been backed by £80 million by this government, with GP surgeries benefiting from £20 for each referral made under the system.

The number of patients bypassing waiting lists through this system and benefiting from earlier specialist input via Advice and Guidance increased by 14% in 2024/25 compared with the previous financial year – with the new financial incentives set to supercharge this.

Thanks to this government’s focus on Advice and Guidance, waits for first outpatient appoints fell by 10 weeks at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, for patients with liver, stomach and bowel conditions are now waiting 10 weeks less for treatment. Over 3,100 advice requests were processed in April, resulting in more than 1,000 patients being diverted away from elective waiting lists.

One example of how the scheme works would be for a GP to quickly consult a hospital specialist digitally after seeing a patient presenting with gastrointestinal issues. They would give advice on whether to refer the patient to them, or to out of hospital services, such as a dietitian, to receive more appropriate care.

As well as meaning faster care for patients, this has saved them both time and money – thanks to avoiding the need to travel up to 80 miles for a potentially unnecessary hospital appointments.

Dr Matt Warren and Dr Richard Thomson, consultant gastroenterologists at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:

We are proud and delighted the work we have been doing with our GPs is reflected in the trust performance.

We have made the most of digital health records and modern diagnostics to get specialist opinions to GPs more quickly. This means patients are getting faster, personalised, and effective care.

Putting patients first is our guiding principle and this new way of collaborating feels professionally rewarding. We are committed to continuing to learn and improve the services for our patients.

Since the government announced the boost for the scheme in April, there has been a widespread increase in GPs using the scheme across the country compared to April last year – with 21% more patients benefitting in the South West, an 8% increase in the North East and Yorkshire and an 8% increase in London.

It supports the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to move more care from hospital to community and is progress towards its target of increasing diversions from elective waiting lists to up to two million by the end of 2025-26.

The Advice and Guidance programme forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which sets out how mission-led government will get patients seen quicker and make the NHS fit for the future.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 2 September 2025.

The government will consult on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s due to negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health.

• Government to ban sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s
• Evidence links the drinks to negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health, sleep quality, and educational outcomes
• Move backed by parents and teachers and will deliver significant long term health benefits as part of government’s Plan for Change

Children will be protected from the harm caused by high-caffeine energy drinks under new proposals to ban their sale to under-16s.

Plans set out today will help boost kids’ health by stopping retailers from selling the drinks to children in a move that could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.

Around 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day. There is growing evidence linking these drinks to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of four cans of cola in their system on a daily basis?

Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity.

As part of our Plan for Change and shift from treatment to prevention, we’re acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the root causes of poor health and educational attainment head on.

By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.

Research highlights that up to one third of children aged 13 to 16 years, and nearly a quarter of children aged 11 to 12 years consume one or more of these drinks each week, so early intervention is crucial if we are to deliver on our pledge to create the healthiest generation of children ever.

This is backed by parents, teachers and teaching unions who report on pupils being unable to concentrate and focus and even negatively affecting grades and academic performance. Evidence also shows that children from more deprived communities are more likely to consume these products – further contributing to health inequalities across the country.

Acting now to improve children’s wellbeing will not only help give them the best start in life and prevent them from a lifetime of poor health but also deliver tens of millions of pounds of health benefits as well as future savings for the NHS and increased economic productivity.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

Through our Plan for Change, we are determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve and the best start in life.

This government inherited a scourge of poor classroom behaviour that undermines the learning of too many children – partly driven by the harmful effects of caffeine loaded drinks – and today’s announcement is another step forward in addressing that legacy.

It goes hand-in-hand with our work to address the root causes of poor behaviour with targeted support to hundreds of struggling schools, access to a specialist mental health professional in every school and updated school food standards so children have access to healthy food and drink options during the school day.

The proposal would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers, including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines. The proposals would not affect lower-caffeine soft drinks nor tea and coffee.

Many major retailers already voluntarily restrict sales, but research suggests some smaller convenience stores continue selling to children, highlighting the need for a consistent approach that protects our children and is fairer for industry.

A consultation launched today on delivery of the ban will run for twelve weeks gathering evidence from health experts, education leaders, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement authorities and the public.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life which is why we are also rolling out supervised tooth brushing for three to five-year-olds, , supporting free breakfast clubs and taking action to help families raise the healthiest generation of children ever.

And we have just announced the largest ever expansion with 30 hours government-funded childcare saving hard-pressed parents £7,500.

Carrera, a Bite Back activist from Milton Keynes, said:

Energy drinks have become the social currency of the playground — cheap, brightly packaged, and easier to buy than water. They’re aggressively marketed to us, especially online, despite serious health risks.

We feel pressured to drink them, especially during exam season, when stress is high and healthier options are hard to find. This ban is a step in the right direction — but bold action on marketing and access must follow.

Lauren Morley from Worthing, East Sussex is parent to a six-year-old. She also works directly with young people and schools on nutrition and mental health. She is a parent ambassador with Sustain. She said:

As a parent of a 6-year-old and an educator with 13 years’ experience, I’ve seen the harm these drinks cause. In schools, I’ve witnessed panic attacks, anxiety and poor focus, often after students consume multiple cans instead of breakfast.

My concern grows as my child gets older. When young people stop drinking them, we see their wellbeing, concentration, and mood noticeably improve. I welcome the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on restricting high caffeine energy drink sales to children.

Rounaq Nayak is a father to two children, living in Bristol. He works as a lecturer and is a parent ambassador with Sustain. He said:

As a parent, I welcome the government’s announcement on restricting high caffeine energy drink sales to children. I’ve seen how marketing and peer influence make these drinks seem appealing – from my youngest wanting to copy older kids to my eldest believing they make you ‘faster’ at sport. Clear regulation, alongside education in schools and for parents, is essential to protect children’s health and ensure companies are held accountable for how these products are promoted.

Charlotte Harrison, Senior Safeguarding Consultant, said:

As a safeguarding consultant and former teacher, I am delighted about, and strongly support, this consultation on a proposed ban of high-caffeine energy drink sales to under-16s. I have seen first-hand the damaging impact these drinks have on young people; there is no doubt that they negatively impact children’s health, behaviour, and learning, as well as contributing to long-term issues like obesity.

Protecting our young people from harmful substances is a vital part of safeguarding, and this consultation is a crucial step toward creating healthier, more supportive environments for our children to thrive in both education and life. I urge everyone to support this consultation to protect the future wellbeing of our children.

Stuart, Assistant Head Teacher of a Sixth Form, said:

As a teacher, I see first-hand the damage energy drinks do to students – from poor focus in class to poor nutrition and overall, well being. We do what we can to keep them out of classrooms and school in general, but without a ban, it’s an uphill battle.

These drinks are not for young people – and I’m delighted the government is finally catching up with clear rules and legislation to support young people to make healthier choices.

Professor Amelia Lake, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, Teesside University and Deputy Director of Fuse the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health said:

Our research has shown the significant mental and physical health consequences of children drinking energy drinks. We have reviewed evidence from around the world and have shown that these drinks have no place in the diets of children.

Other countries have age-restricted sales of energy drinks, Norway has recently announced their restrictions starting in 2026. I welcome this consultation, it will be a step forward in prioritising the health and wellbeing of our young population.

Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign at Sustain, an alliance of over 100 food, farming and health organisations, said:

High caffeine energy drinks already carry warning labels saying ‘not suitable for children’, so it’s absolutely right for the government to limit them from being sold to children too.

They are branded and marketed to appeal to young people through sports and influencers and far too easily purchased by children in shops, cafes and vending machines. Parents, teachers and health professionals have all called for this policy, so let’s get involved with the consultation and support children’s health.

Katharine Jenner, Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said:

High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands. We fully support the government’s proposal to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. This is a common-sense, evidence-based step to protect children’s physical, mental, and dental health.

Age-of-sale policies like this have a proven record of reducing access to products that are not suitable for children, and will help create an environment that supports healthier choices for future generations.

Sarah Muckle, Policy Lead for Children and Young People at the Association of Directors of Public Health and Director of Public Health for Essex, said:

Our children and young people deserve the opportunity to grow up in an environment which nurtures their potential, provides them with easy access to healthy food, drink and activities, and helps them thrive.

Energy drinks, which are currently made incredibly attractive and affordable to children through targeted advertising and marketing campaigns funded by the industry, are associated with a wide range of physical and mental health issues and so we are very pleased to see the Government acting on its promise to protect children’s health in this way.

A ban will not only make a huge difference to individual children’s health but will also have the knock-on consequence of enabling our children and young people to take a more active role in their education and their communities – something that will benefit everyone.

Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, President of the Faculty of Public Health, said:

Mounting evidence shows us that high-caffeine energy drinks are damaging the health of children across the UK, particularly those from deprived communities who are already at higher risk of obesity and other health issues.

We welcome this public health intervention to limit access to these drinks and help support the physical and mental wellbeing of our young people.

Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, Assistant Director of Food at the British Retail Consortium, said:

BRC members banned the sale of certain energy drinks to under 16s many years ago, so we welcome this announcement as it will ensure a level playing field across all businesses who sell energy drinks. But most importantly, it will protect young consumers.

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

We welcome this consultation. There is clear evidence that high-caffeine energy drinks are not only a health risk to children but that these products also affect behaviour and concentration.

They are banned in many schools but their wider availability means they can be consumed outside of school time with a knock-on effect in class. Restricting the sale of these drinks could be a relatively simple way of supporting learning and wellbeing.

Paul Whiteman, General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers, said:

NAHT supports this proactive move to ban the sale of these drinks to under 16s. A healthy diet for children and young people is vital and these drinks, which are high in caffeine and in sugar, are not consistent with that. Evidence is also growing to support concerns school staff have over connections between these drinks and reduced concentration in the classroom. Anything which addresses this and helps pupils to focus on their learning has to be welcome.

Professor Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

Paediatricians are very clear that children or teenagers do not need energy drinks. Young people get their energy from sleep, a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise and meaningful connection with family and friends. There’s no evidence that caffeine or other stimulants in these products offer any nutritional or developmental benefit, in fact growing research points to serious risks for behaviour and mental health. Banning the sale of these products to under-16s is the next logical step in making the diet of our nation’s children more healthy.

Rebecca Tobi, Senior Business and Investor Engagement Manager, The Food Foundation, said:

Caffeine is a very potent stimulant, as many adults know all too well, so it’s very welcome to see the government moving forward with their commitment to ban the sale of energy drinks to children. Caffeine and energy drinks should have no place in children’s diets, yet remain heavily marketed to children. As well as needing to ban sales of high caffeine drinks across all places where children can buy them, government and businesses should also look to ensure these drinks aren’t constantly promoted to children – for example on gaming platforms.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 30 August 2025.

More than 40 people hospitalised following suspected use of unlicensed botulinum toxin products.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning criminals that they face prison as it cracks down on the illicit trade in unlicensed botulinum toxin products, commonly referred to as Botox, used in cosmetic procedures.

The MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit has launched a number of criminal investigations following a spike in hospital admissions believed to be linked to the use of unlicensed botulinum toxin products.

Between 4 June and 6 August 2025, 41 confirmed cases of botulism – a rare but potentially life-threatening condition causing paralysis – were reported across several regions in England, including the North East, East Midlands, East of England, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit has seen evidence that some sellers and practitioners – often untrained – are obtaining unlicensed botulinum toxin products illegally and offering injections in unsafe, unregulated settings. The treatments are being delivered in informal settings such as domestic bedrooms and kitchens, hair salons, and through mobile beauty services. Members of the public are often lured in by adverts on social media promising quick, cheap results.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit is investigating the illegal trade in these products. Anyone caught selling or supplying unlicensed botulinum toxin faces up to two years in prison and unlimited fines under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Andy Morling, Head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, said:

“Criminals are exploiting the popularity of cosmetic treatments by peddling dangerous, unlicensed products, putting profit before safety.

“Anyone involved in the supply of unlicensed botulinum toxin – whether through organised networks or informal sales from kitchen tables, hair salons, or via social media – is breaking the law and endangering lives. The 41 individuals we’ve seen between June and August left seriously ill represent the devastating human cost of this trade.

“We are working across the country to identify those responsible, seize illegal products, and bring cases to court. We use the full range of our enforcement powers and techniques to shut down these operations and bring offenders to justice.”

This crackdown is part of the MHRA’s wider work to disrupt illegal botulinum toxin supply. Since May 2023, the Criminal Enforcement Unit, working closely with its partners in Border Force, has seized more than 4,700 vials of unlicensed botulinum toxin both at the border and inland.

Almost all of the seized products originated in South Korea, including brands such as Botulax, reNTox, Innotox, and Toxpia, which are not authorised for sale in the UK.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit also works with social media companies to remove illegal listings and disrupt criminal networks advertising unlicensed botulinum toxin.

Understanding the health risks

Botulism caused by botulinum toxin in cosmetic procedures is rare, but can be life-threatening. Symptoms can take up to four weeks to develop and may include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing difficulty. In severe cases, patients may require mechanical ventilation and intensive care treatment.

Anyone who has recently received a botulinum toxin treatment and develops any of these symptoms should seek medical help immediately via NHS 111 or emergency services.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

“No one should have to suffer serious illness or risk their life because criminals are flooding the market with unsafe products.

“This government is determined to crack down on cosmetic cowboys who exploit vulnerable consumers seeking cut-price treatments outside suitable medical settings. Through the MHRA’s criminal investigations and our new regulations, we’ll use the full force of the law against those who supply unlicensed medicines.

“I would urge anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to consider the risks and find a reputable, insured, and qualified practitioner.”

MHRA Chief Safety Officer Dr Alison Cave said:

“Public safety is a top priority for the MHRA. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate prescriber such as a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.

“Buying botulinum toxin in any other circumstances significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. This means that there are no safeguards to ensure products meet the MHRA’s standards for quality and safety. As such, they can have life-threatening consequences for the people who take them.

“If you are offered botulinum toxin without a medical consultation, in an informal setting, or at a price significantly below usual rates, this should be treated as a warning sign. Lower cost does not mean safe; it may put your health at risk and could lead to hospitalisation.”

How to protect yourself and report concerns

Licensed botulinum toxin products undergo rigorous testing and quality controls to ensure they contain the correct active ingredient at safe concentrations. Legitimate treatments should only be carried out by qualified healthcare professionals in proper clinical settings with appropriate emergency equipment available.

Before any treatment, verify that your practitioner is medically qualified and registered with their professional body. Check that products being used are licensed in the UK by asking to see packaging and checking batch numbers. Be suspicious of unusually cheap prices, treatments offered in domestic settings, or practitioners who cannot provide proper credentials.

The MHRA urges anyone who experiences side effects or complications after a cosmetic procedure to report them via the Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 August 2025.

A free chickenpox vaccination will offered for first time to children across England on the NHS from January.

• Government to launch chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026, which will protect around half a million children each year
• Eligible children will receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
• The rollout will help raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work

Thousands of children will be protected against chickenpox for the first time in England through a new vaccination programme that will keep kids in school and parents in work while also saving the NHS vital funds.

From January next year, GP practises will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) – the clinical term for chickenpox – as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

It will mean kids miss fewer days in nursery and school while parents won’t need to take time off work to care for them. Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.

The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

We’re giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work.

This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to give every child has the best possible start in life, and this rollout will help do exactly that.

The vaccination programme forms part of the government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of our Plan for Change — boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention.

The vaccine will help reduce cases of chickenpox and protect children from serious complications that can cause hospitalisation, such as bacterial infections like strep A, brain and lung inflammation and stroke.

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

Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal.

It is excellent news, that from next January, we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme – helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life saver.

We now have extensive experience from a number of countries showing that the vaccine has a good safety record and is highly effective. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and also lead to fewer missed nursery and school days.

The government’s decision to roll out the MMRV vaccine in January is based on expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), following research showing the significant impact of severe cases of chickenpox on children’s health, hospital admissions and associated costs.

Private vaccinations for chickenpox at pharmacies and clinics currently cost around £150 for a full course of two doses. This rollout will mean the vaccination will be available free of charge on the NHS to eligible children.

Other countries where the MMRV vaccine is already offered — such as Germany, Canada, and the United States — have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.

Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said:

This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.

We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to rollout the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses.

The MMRV vaccine rollout forms part of the government’s overall aim to ensure young people thrive, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes expanding access to vaccines, as well as free school meals, mental health support and dental care.

This is the first time protection against another disease has been added to the routine childhood vaccination programme since the MenB vaccine in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Department for Education has recently announced plans to roll out Best Start Family Hubs in every local area, relieving pressure on parents and giving half a million more children the very best start in life.

The eligibility criteria for children will be set out in clinical guidance covering which age groups will get the MMRV vaccine and when, to ensure the most effective protection for children.

As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible.