Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2025.

The government has launched a new campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes.

• New campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes
• Ketamine use and drug poisonings highest on record with 8 times more people seeking treatment since 2015
• Government investing £310 million into drug treatment services alongside awareness campaign

Young people are being warned that they risk irreparable bladder damage, poisoning and even death if they take ketamine, synthetic opioids or deliberately contaminated THC vapes, as part of a new anti-drugs campaign.

Launching today (16 October 2025), the campaign, which includes online films, will target 16 to 24 years olds and social media users, following a worrying rise in the number of young people being harmed by drugs. There has been an eight-fold increase in the number of people requiring treatment for ketamine since 2015.

Supported by £310 million investment in drug treatment services, this initiative directly supports the government’s Plan for Change mission to create safer streets by reducing serious harm and protecting communities from emerging drug threats.

Health Minister Ashley Dalton said:

Young people don’t always realise the decision to take drugs such as ketamine can have profound effects. It can destroy your bladder and even end your life.

We’ve seen a worrying rise in people coming to harm from ketamine as well as deliberately contaminated THC vapes and synthetic opioids hidden in fake medicines bought online.

Prevention is at the heart of this government’s approach to tackling drugs and this campaign will ensure young people have the facts they need to make informed decisions about their health and safety, so they think twice about putting themselves in danger.

As part of the campaign, experts will highlight particular risks, including the:

• potentially irreparable damage ketamine can cause to your bladder
• dangers of counterfeit medicines containing deadly synthetic opioids purchased online
• risks from so-called ‘THC vapes’ that often contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids like spice rather than THC

Resources will be available for schools, universities and local public health teams with content available on FRANK, the drug information website.

There are growing concerns about novel synthetic opioids, particularly nitazenes, which are increasingly appearing in counterfeit medicines sold through illegitimate online sources. Users purchasing these products are typically younger and more drug-naïve.

Reports of harms from THC vapes have also increased, with many products containing synthetic cannabinoids (commonly known as ‘spice’) that have higher potency and unpredictable effects.

Katy Porter, CEO, The Loop, said:

The Loop welcomes the further investment in evidence-based approaches and support to reduce drug-related harm.

Providing accurate, non-judgemental information equips and empowers people to make safer choices and can help reduce preventable harms.

Drug poisoning deaths reached 5,448 in England and Wales in 2023, the highest number since records began in 1993. The campaign emphasises that while complete safety requires avoiding drug use altogether, those who may still use substances should be aware of the risks and know how to access help and support.

The campaign underlines that ketamine’s medical applications do not make illicit use safe, with urologists increasingly concerned about young people presenting with severe bladder problems from recreational ketamine use.

Resources will be distributed to local public health teams, drug and alcohol treatment services, youth services, schools and universities. The campaign provides clear information on accessing help and support for those experiencing drug-related problems or mental health issues.

This year the Department of Health and Social Care is also providing £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, including specialist services for children and young people.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 October 2025.

People with mental health issues to benefit from groundbreaking research, backed by £50 million in government funding.

• People with mental health issues to benefit from groundbreaking research, backed by £50 million in government funding, that could deliver more effective treatments
• Poor mental health affects 1 in 4 people in England, and its impact costs the UK economy £300 billion a year
• The Mental Health Goals programme will attract industry partnerships and commercial clinical trials to the UK, supporting our £100 billion life sciences sector to grow and delivering on Plan for Change

People with experience of mental health problems will be brought into the heart of cutting edge research to develop more effective treatments, as part of up to £50 million funding being announced by the Government on Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October).

This crucial work will make sure that the latest innovations in mental healthcare truly focus on solving the problems that could meaningfully change their lives. This backing will supercharge the efforts of researchers who are bringing the best of British science to help people manage their illness and prevent issues from escalating, with measures also planned to improve access to the UK’s world-class medical research data and facilities.

Improving life for the millions of Britons living with mental health problems is one of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing the UK today. Poor mental health affects 1 in 4 people in England alone, and is the UK’s single biggest driver of disability, with enormous consequences on people’s quality of life.

Similarly, the economic impact is vast, with mental health problems costing the economy some £300 billion a year owing to unemployment, staff absence, and the costs of care. Improving this picture forms an important part of delivering the health and economic growth missions that are central to the Plan for Change.

The funding being announced today, on World Mental Health Day, will:

• Be used to set up a cohort of 20,000 volunteers, whose health data can be securely used for mental health research. This will provide a better, data-driven, understanding of how our biology links to our mental health.
• Enable the creation of an Industry Alliance Team: a new point of entry for innovators to get streamlined support to access to the UK’s high quality mental health research facilities, health data, as well as wider support in rapidly standing up clinical trials.
• Launch a pioneering new Lived Experience Industry Partnership, to ensure that people who have actually experienced mental health problems are at the heart of how research is prioritised and undertaken by industry – giving them an impactful voice in this important work, so that efforts truly focus on tackling problems that can meaningfully change their lives.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Mental health problems blight the lives of millions of people across the country. This isn’t something we should just accept. Scientific research has led to breakthroughs that are changing the game for physical problems, like cancer, and heart disease. We should be every bit as ambitious for what science can do in tackling mental health challenges as well.

That is why this funding matters and what our Plan for Change delivers. By making the right resources readily accessible we can look to a future where mental health is tackled faster, more precisely, and more effectively.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

Too many people across Britain are struggling with poor mental health. It doesn’t have to be this way – and we’re determined to change it.

That’s why we are building an NHS fit for the future, including by investing £50 million to back research into breakthrough treatments that could transform millions of lives through effective mental health support, tailored to their needs.

We are also hiring 8,500 extra mental health workers, delivering more talking therapies and providing better access to help through the NHS App through our 10 Year Health Plan.

Co-Chair of the Mental Health Goals programme, Professor Kathryn Abel, said:

This programme goes far beyond funding research – it’s about creating a step change in the way we deliver innovation for improved mental health outcomes. Building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to make the UK the most attractive place in the world for mental health innovation is key for the investment needed for change. At its heart is a new kind of collaboration between people with lived experience and industry, built on mutual respect, aligned priorities and shared purpose. We cannot deliver meaningful progress without industry, and industry cannot succeed without listening to those most affected. This is how we change the system – together.

Co-Chair of the Mental Health Goals programme, Professor Husseini Manji, said:

With this landmark investment, we have the chance to do for mental health what has been done in other areas of medicine – turn cutting-edge science into real breakthroughs that change lives. By combining world-class research, powerful data, and the wisdom of lived experience, we will help develop novel therapies truly tailored to patients’ needs. By embedding lived experience at the heart of research, we will ensure that new therapies are designed not just to work in theory, but to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. Our goal is simple: to bring better care to everyone affected by mental health challenges.

Up to £50 million will be delivered over the next 5 years, under the Government’s Mental Health Goals programme, which was set up to speed up the pace at which new mental health medicines, technologies and therapies can be tested, proven, and then put to work. The Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, will deliver investments enhancing mental health research data and digital infrastructure.

A central part of the Mental Health Goals programme is ensuring people with lived experience of mental health problems have a genuinely meaningful voice as new treatments and therapies are worked on.

One example of what this can look like in practice is the work by DATAMIND, a mental health research hub funded principally by the Medical Research Council. DATAMIND worked with people with lived experience of mental health problems to produce a plain-English glossary of commonly-used mental health data science terms. This is a simple tool with powerful results: helping people to understand and have greater influence over how their health data is being used, building trust, and supporting them to engage confidently with research and trials in which they are participating to shape it for the better.

Major advances in genetics, neuroscience, imaging, and data science, as well emerging new digital technologies that could improve treatment, have immense potential to overhaul how we tackle mental health problems.

Bolstered by today’s investment, the Mental Health Goals programme will support researchers, the NHS and patients to work together to seize this opportunity. Efforts to improve the story on mental health underpin the wider work of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, to unleash life sciences as a force to better our health and wealth, and the 10 Year Health Plan, which is moving the health service from treatment to prevention.

Stakeholder support for the Mental Health Goals programme:

Rachel Hastings-Caplan, Clinical Research Policy Manager at Rethink Mental Illness, said:

We are delighted to see government investment to develop a new generation of effective mental health treatments. People living with severe mental illness often face limited treatment options and must rely on medications that, while lifesaving, can cause significant side effects. For too long there has been a need for greater investment in mental health research, coupled with improved research infrastructure within the NHS and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience throughout the process. We are pleased that government is addressing these issues with this new initiative, which we hope will ensure mental health treatments that are effective and make a real difference in people’s lives.

Dr Vanessa Pinfold, co-founder and research director at The McPin Foundation said:

We welcome the ambition to put lived experience at the centre of this new investment in mental health research. Those with lived experience of mental health issues should always have a leading role in the design and delivery of this type of research, working as core partners and decision makers. Working with industry, trust needs to be developed carefully. Transparency must be built into the principle of all partnership working, and this level of resource and ambition demonstrates this will be possible. We hope that this investment is a commitment to long-lasting system change and better outcomes for those living with mental health issues.

Andrew Davies, Executive Director of Digital Health at the ABHI said:

Mental health remains one of the most significant societal challenges of our time, and we all have a responsibility to support better, more personalised and compassionate care. HealthTech has a vital role to play in this mission, from digital tools that enhance early diagnosis and treatment adherence, to technologies that enable continuous support and recovery. This investment represents an important step forward in harnessing the UK’s world-class research and innovation capabilities to deliver meaningful improvements for people living with mental health conditions.

 Miranda Wolpert, Director of Mental Health at Wellcome, said:

Mental health conditions affect so many of us, yet for too many, current treatments can fall short. This new investment is a vital step towards unlocking the untapped potential of science to deliver more effective and personalised approaches. Crucially, by bringing people with lived experience together with industry experts , this programme ensures that innovation is driven by the needs of those it aims to serve. It’s an exciting opportunity to reshape mental health care in ways that can make a real and lasting difference.

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.