Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 21 February 2025.

Government delivers on its manifesto commitment to roll out extra urgent appointments across the country.

• Government delivers on its manifesto commitment to roll out extra urgent appointments across the country
• ‘Dental deserts’ where patients struggle to get appointments targeted
• Plans mark first step towards rebuilding NHS dentistry – with government also set to deliver supervised toothbrushing to improve children’s oral health

Hundreds of thousands of people across England will soon be able to access urgent and emergency dental care as the government and NHS rolls out 700,000 extra urgent appointments, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock announced today (21 February 2025).

Delivering on the government’s manifesto pledge, NHS England has today written to integrated care boards (ICBs) across the country, directing health chiefs in each region to stand up thousands of urgent appointments over the next year.

Access to NHS dentistry is increasingly a lottery across the country. Statistics from the GP Patient Survey 2024 show that around 1 in 4 patients who tried to see an NHS dentist in the past 2 years were unable to do so.

This has led to desperate scenes across the country, such as at St Paul’s Dental Practice in Bristol, where hundreds of patients gathered outside in the hope of seeing an NHS dentist and police had to intervene to manage the queue when the practice re-opened in February 2024.

Previous interventions have failed to address the crisis in NHS dentistry. For example, the new patient premium – introduced as part of the dental recovery plan published in 2024 – revealed to have cost £88 million but with no impact for patients.

Data published last week showed the number of new patients accessing NHS dentists has actually fallen by 3% since the scheme was introduced.

This government has confirmed it will be scrapping the new patient premium, and today sees it already begin the work of rolling out new appointments across the country.

As part of the government’s manifesto commitment, the extra appointments will be available from April and have been targeted at dental deserts – areas where patients particularly struggle to access NHS dentists. This includes parts of the east of England, such as Norfolk and Waveney, where there are just 31 NHS dentists respectively for every 100,000 people – way below the national average.

The announcement marks the start of the government and NHS delivering on the manifesto pledge to provide 700,000 extra urgent and emergency dental appointments to address the crisis in NHS dentistry.

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, said:

We promised we would end the misery faced by hundreds of thousands of people unable to get urgent dental care. Today we’re starting to deliver on that commitment.

NHS dentistry has been left broken after years of neglect, with patients left in pain without appointments, or queueing around the block just to be seen.

Through our Plan for Change, this government will rebuild dentistry – focusing on prevention, retention of NHS dentists and reforming the NHS contract to make NHS work more appealing to dentists and increase capacity for more patients. This will take time, but today marks an important step towards getting NHS dentistry back on its feet.

Each ICB has a target of urgent appointments to roll out, based on estimated local levels of unmet need for urgent NHS care. Levels of unmet need are calculated by measures including looking at how many people tried and failed to get an NHS dentist appointment.

These extra appointments will be for patients who are likely to be in pain – including those suffering from infections or needing urgent repairs to a bridge – and require urgent treatment. NHS commissioners will be working fast to secure these extra appointments this year, with appointments to start coming online from April. Patients will be able to access these appointments by contacting their usual dental practice or calling NHS 111 if they do not have a regular dentist or need help out of hours.

The plans are the first step towards securing more urgent care for patients over the longer term and will allow for a more fundamental reform of urgent dental care provision.

Jason Wong, Chief Dental Officer for England, said:

Dentists are working hard to help as many patients as possible but too many people experience difficulties in accessing NHS dental services.

It is vital that we do more to improve access – we are working with local systems to prioritise this, which includes providing 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments to help make it quicker and easier for those most in need to be seen and treated on the NHS and we are incentivising dentists to work in underserved areas so that all areas of the country can receive the care they need.

After inheriting an NHS dental sector in crisis, the government is acting now to make it fit for the future, following years of neglect and unsuccessful interventions.

A recent report by the National Audit Office found that access to NHS dentistry remains below pre-pandemic levels, with the previous administration’s dental recovery plan not on course to deliver its target of 1.5 million extra treatments by the end of 2024 to 2025.

Children’s oral health is also in crisis, with tooth decay being the number one reason that children aged 5 to 9 years old are admitted to hospital. More than a fifth of 5-year-old school children have signs of dental decay, according to data published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities last week.

The data also showed stark regional inequalities in terms of good oral health – with areas of high deprivation having rates of tooth decay more than double that of wealthier areas. For example, almost 1 in 3 children (32.2%) living in Merseyside showed signs of decay, compared to just 13.6% of kids in Gloucestershire.

To tackle this, the government will introduce a new supervised toothbrushing scheme for 3 to 5 year olds – which is aimed at providing advice and tooth brushing guidance in the school setting to children living in the most deprived areas in England, as well as providing toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The government is also recruiting new dentists to areas that need them most and will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focusing on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. This includes the golden hello bonus incentive payment of £20,000, which is being offered per dentist for up to 240 dentists who agree to work in areas of the country that have traditionally been hard to recruit to. Until July, none of the 240 roles had been filled, but the government has since delivered 68 posts, with more to come.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:

NHS dentistry has been left in a sorry state, with far too many people experiencing pain and discomfort because they can’t access basic care.

These extra urgent appointments will be welcome and are a helpful first step, but fixing the nation’s oral health crisis will require a sustained effort.

We now need local NHS leaders to work creatively to ensure available capacity is targeting those most in need, whether treating an infected tooth or ensuring cancer and transplant patients get the dental check-ups they need before starting treatment.

Urgent care appointments to be delivered by individual integrated care boards

Region	ICB	Additional urgent care appointments to be purchased
East of England	Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB	6,041
East of England	Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB	14,195
East of England	Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB	5,712
East of England	Mid and South Essex ICB	6,098
East of England	Norfolk and Waveney ICB	21,520
East of England	Suffolk and North East Essex ICB	15,413
London	North Central London ICB	8,976
London	North East London ICB	17,452
London	North West London ICB	11,445
London	South East London ICB	8,616
London	South West London ICB	6,402
Midlands	Birmingham and Solihull ICB	9,005
Midlands	Black Country ICB	14,473
Midlands	Coventry and Warwickshire ICB	2,740
Midlands	Derby and Derbyshire ICB	16,298
Midlands	Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB	12,970
Midlands	Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB	10,137
Midlands	Lincolnshire ICB	12,017
Midlands	Northamptonshire ICB	17,826
Midlands	Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB	24,360
Midlands	Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB	7,408
Midlands	Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB	16,190
North East and Yorkshire	Humber and North Yorkshire ICB	27,196
North East and Yorkshire	North East and North Cumbria ICB	57,559
North East and Yorkshire	South Yorkshire ICB	19,983
North East and Yorkshire	West Yorkshire ICB	32,312
North West	Cheshire and Merseyside ICB	46,617
North West	Greater Manchester ICB	17,897
North West	Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB	20,822
South East	Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB	15,454
South East	Frimley ICB	6,626
South East	Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB	30,032
South East	Kent and Medway ICB	20,319
South East	Surrey Heartlands ICB	6,585
South East	Sussex ICB	26,546
South West	Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB	13,990
South West	Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB	19,076
South West	Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ICB	10,910
South West	Devon ICB	24,269
South West	Dorset ICB	13,569
South West	Gloucestershire ICB	11,464
South West	Somerset ICB	13,498

Total additional appointments, England: 700,018.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 19 February 2025.

Landmark study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.

Groundbreaking research will investigate the long-term health effects of vaping on children, supporting major plans to tackle youth vaping and create a smoke-free generation.

The £62 million research project into adolescent health, funded by UK Research and Innovation, will track 100,000 young people aged 8 to 18 years over a decade, collecting data on behaviour, biology and health records to understand what affects young people’s health and wellbeing, including the impact of vaping.

While vaping is less harmful than smoking and can be a useful tool to help adult smokers quit, youth vaping has skyrocketed in recent years, with a quarter of 11 to 15 year olds having tried it.

The research coincides with the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will clamp down on youth vaping by limiting flavours, packaging and displays deliberately designed to appeal to children.

The study is one of 3 sets of research being commissioned by the government, alongside the launch of England’s first ever public health marketing campaign to educate children on vaping harms.

The long-term health impacts of youth vaping are not fully known, and this comprehensive approach will provide the most detailed picture yet, giving health carers and policymakers the robust evidence they need to protect the next generation from the potential health risks.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said:

We know that vaping can be a useful tool to quit smoking, but it’s crucial we have clear evidence on the long-term health harms, especially for young people.

This landmark series of studies, combined with our first nationwide youth vaping campaign, will help drive evidence-based, decisive action to protect our children’s future.

Through bold preventative measures, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, this government will deliver on our Plan for Change to build healthier lives and save our broken NHS.

Prof Lucy Chappell, NIHR CEO and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, said:

With vaping on the rise among young people, it is crucial that we develop a solid evidence base to better understand its health impacts, and help ensure we protect and support the next generation.

By investing in important research such as this we give young people, parents, and policymakers the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and safeguard long-term health.

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

The number of non-smokers, particularly young people, taking up vaping is extremely worrying. The long-term impact of vaping on the lungs isn’t yet known, so research into its effect on young people, is really important.

It is already known that vaping can cause inflammation in the airways, and people with asthma have told us that vapes can trigger their condition. Vaping could put developing lungs at risk, while exposure to nicotine – also contained in vapes – can damage developing brains. This is why young people should be stopped from taking up vaping in the first place.

The upcoming legislation, restricting vape flavours and packaging that appeal directly to young people, is an important step in tackling youth vaping along with a ban on cheap disposable vapes. Alongside this, arming young people with the facts about the dangers of vaping and how it affects their health with campaigns like Love Your Lungs, is absolutely vital.

Funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the second set of groundbreaking research will see University College London produce yearly updates capturing the latest vaping research from both the UK and international sources.

Separately, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will conduct the most comprehensive analysis of youth vaping studies to date, also funded by NIHR.

These landmark studies will ensure healthcare workers can be kept at the cutting edge of the latest evidence and insights.

At the same time, the government is rolling out its first-ever nationwide campaign to inform young people about the hidden health dangers of vaping.

The campaign, Love Your Lungs, exposes the harms of vaping and nicotine addiction, highlighting that with their lungs and brains still developing, young people are more vulnerable to health risks.

Aimed at 13 to 18 year olds, the campaign will roll out primarily on social media, using influencers to speak directly to its younger audience.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which contains ambitious plans to protect children from vaping, is currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill will also introduce a ban on the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and bolster enforcement to prevent underage and illicit sales.

From 1 June 2025, under separate environmental legislation, disposable vapes will be banned, reducing the availability and appeal of vapes to young people.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, focusing on the crucial role prevention can take in cutting waiting lists and making the NHS fit for future.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 February 2025.

Nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how AI tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier.

• Cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) trial to transform cancer care, helping radiologists catch breast cancer earlier
• Trial announced this World Cancer Day, as government launches ‘call for evidence’ to shape new plan to cut lives lost to cancer
• Plan for Change will put UK on the front foot, unleashing AI to drive up health services and shift NHS from analogue to digital as part of 10 Year Health Plan

Nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge AI tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier, the Department of Health and Social Care announced today (4 February 2025).

As government ramps up the use of new technology across the board, 30 testing sites across the country will be enhanced with the latest digital AI technologies, ready to invite women already booked in for routine screenings on the NHS to take part. The technology will assist radiologists, screening patients to identify changes in breast tissue that show possible signs of cancer and refer them for further investigations if required.

Currently, 2 specialists are needed per mammogram screening. This technology enables just one to complete the same mammogram screening process safely and efficiently. If the trial is successful, it could free up hundreds of radiologists and other specialists across the country to see more patients, tackle rising cancer rates, save more lives and cut waiting lists.

The EDITH trial (Early Detection using Information Technology in Health) is backed by £11 million of government support via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is the latest example of how British scientists are transforming cancer care, building on the promising potential of cutting-edge innovations to tackle one of the UK’s biggest killers.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, with around 55,000 people being diagnosed with the disease every year. Currently, women between the ages of 50 and 71 are invited to be screened every 3 years to help detect cases. This equates to around 2.1 million breast cancer screens carried out by the programme annually, helping to prevent around 1,300 deaths.

The launch of the trial comes as cancer experts, people living with cancer and medical professionals are invited to help shape the development of a new national cancer plan through the launch of a call for evidence, being announced later today by the Health and Social Care Secretary at an event hosted by Macmillan Cancer Support to mark World Cancer Day.

Every 4 minutes, someone in the UK dies from cancer and Lord Darzi’s recent independent investigation into the NHS found that cancer survival in this country is worse for some cancers than some similar nations.

The new plan to fight one of the UK’s major conditions could help transform the way we treat cancer, making the UK a world leader in cancer survival by fighting the disease on all fronts, through improving research, diagnosis, screening, treatment and prevention. This includes investing in the latest technologies to address rising cancer cases, recognising the vital role they’ll play in tackling the disease.

This government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that NHS patients will be among the first to benefit from cutting-edge medical innovations, such as the technology being tested in the EDITH trial, catapulting the service from analogue to digital to cut waiting lists and make it fit for the future, as set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

Members of the public, as well as NHS staff and experts, have already been invited to share their experiences, views and ideas for fixing the NHS via the Change NHS online platform, which will help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan. The results of this consultation will support the development of the national cancer plan.

This closely follows the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to revolutionise public services and become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since launching just last month.

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

As a cancer survivor, I feel like one of the lucky ones.

With record numbers of people diagnosed with cancer, and Lord Darzi finding that cancer survival is worse in this country than our peers, I know that urgent action is needed to save lives and improve patient care.

That’s why for World Cancer Day, I am committed to publishing a dedicated national cancer plan this year, to unleash Britain’s potential as a world leader in saving lives from this deadly disease and make the NHS fit for the future through our Plan for Change.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR, said:

This landmark trial could lead to a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, offering women faster, more accurate diagnoses when it matters most.

It is another example of how NIHR research, shaped and funded by the public, is crucial for rigorously testing world-leading new technologies, such as AI, that can potentially save lives while reducing the burden on the NHS.

Due to be published later this year, the national cancer plan will set out targeted actions to reduce lives lost to one of the biggest killers, continue improving survival rates, and improve the experience of patients along their cancer journey.

It will also include specific actions for rarer cancers such as those affecting children and young people.

To support this work, the government has re-launched the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce, with Dame Caroline Dinenage and Professor Darren Hargrave appointed as its co-chairs, alongside Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel as vice-chair.

The taskforce will bring together the country’s top experts to set out plans to improve treatment, detection and research for cancer in children and young people, which will feed into the national cancer plan.

NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said:

The NHS is diagnosing more cancers at an early stage than ever before – when treatment is most likely to be effective – but we know we need to accelerate progress further.

A national cancer plan will give us the chance to do just that – bringing in new ideas, help us make best practice, normal practice – and ensure the NHS is at the cutting edge of new cancer developments and innovations in the future.

Britain is a global leader in the development of advanced therapies, with a strong academic and life sciences industry, and was the first national health system in Europe to commission CAR-T cellular therapy for blood cancer patients.

Now, alongside the national cancer plan, a new UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research is being launched to provide co-ordination, target investment and maximise opportunities for the UK to lead in clinical research. This will help to unlock innovation and growth.

Hosted by the Association of Medical Research Charities, the collaborative will support charities to convene expertise from across the cancer research landscape, to identify strategic priorities and cross-cutting areas of unmet need.

Science Minister Lord Vallance and Health Minister Baroness Merron will see first-hand how charities, academia, industry and the NHS working hand in hand to support research is leading to breakthroughs for cancer patients, on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital today. Their Sutton cancer hub is hosting MANIFEST, a research project jointly led by the Francis Crick Institute, looking to better target immunotherapy as a treatment of cancer. The government announced £9 million funding for the project, in October.

Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:

Catching cancer weeks earlier could be the difference between life and death – and these trials could not only help to get women faster access to treatment but reduce pressures on our NHS.

Delivering on our AI Opportunities Action Plan, we are going to use AI to repair broken public services and drive forward our Plan for Change. Trials like this illustrate exactly the impact we know the technology can have – improving lives and in this case, saving them.

The government has committed to fixing the NHS and making it fit for the future as part of its Plan for Change.

Last week, the government pledged to speed up diagnosis and treatment for tens of thousands of cancer patients. From March 2026, around 100,000 more people every year will be told they have cancer or not within 28 days and around 17,000 more people will begin treatment within 2 months of a referral.

This comes as part of new targets from NHS England confirming 4 out of 5 patients would receive a diagnosis or be given the all-clear within 28 days of a cancer referral – an increase to 80% on the current target of 77%.

The move will ensure that those with cancer are given the best chance of survival through earlier diagnosis and access to treatment.

It will also bring the government closer to achieving all of the cancer waiting time standards set out in the NHS Constitution, some of which have not been met since 2015.

Read more information on how to contribute to the call for evidence for the national cancer plan.

Macmillan Cancer Support Chief Executive, Gemma Peters, said:

Today, cancer care faces some of the biggest challenges we’ve ever seen. There are almost 3.5 million people living with cancer across the UK. As this number rises, more and more people will struggle to access the care they need because of who they are or where they live. Better cancer care is possible if we harness promising innovations like those announced today and ensure everyone benefits from them.

That’s why today we have brought together people living with cancer, community organisations and cancer experts so the Health and Social Care Secretary can hear directly from the people who are dealing with cancer day in and day out. By sharing experiences, learning from what works and what is broken, we have an opportunity to spark a revolution in cancer care. The government knows we need to do things differently and joining forces with Macmillan and other trusted partners to develop a robust cancer plan for England, we can together transform cancer care for everyone now and for the future.

Cancer Research UK Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:

Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Tackling the leading cause of death in the UK requires bold leadership, and we welcome the UK government’s national cancer plan for England. We need a long-term strategy focused on diagnosing cancers earlier, reducing waiting times, and bringing cutting-edge treatment to people sooner.

The evidence is clear: countries with dedicated cancer plans see greater improvements in survival. We look forward to working with the UK government to make sure the plan delivers for everyone affected by cancer in England.

Cancer 52 Chief Executive Officer, Chris Walden, said:

A national cancer plan is an opportunity to ensure people with rare and less common cancers are diagnosed early, survival rates improve and they have the support they need.

55% of all deaths from cancer are from rare and less common cancers; tackling this must be a priority and patient voices need to be heard as part of the consultation process so the policy recommendations are grounded in their experiences.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 February 2025.

Over 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits will be made available to help end HIV transmissions by the end of the decade.

• Public health campaign to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030 given £1.5 million fund from government
• Funding will increase testing, reduce stigma, tackle health disparities and raise awareness
• The Prime Minister became the first serving G7 leader to have an HIV test on camera

Over 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits will be made available to help end HIV transmissions by the end of the decade.

The packs are part of a public health campaign to end the virus transmissions in England by 2030 and has been backed by £1.5 million in government funding.

To mark National HIV Testing Week, the government has also announced it will extend the national HIV prevention programme – HIV Prevention England – by a year.

The campaign, delivered by Terrence Higgins Trust and local partners, carries out vital work to increase testing for groups disproportionally affected by HIV and reduce stigma, as well as raise awareness of ways to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The Prime Minister has given his backing by becoming the first ever serving leader of a G7 nation to take a self-testing HIV test on camera, demonstrating that getting a test is quick, easy, free and confidential.

After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick, and during National HIV Testing Week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.

If people test, they will know their status. It is better that people know and that is a good thing because you can then get treatment to help meet our target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

Getting tested for HIV is quick, free and confidential and I would like to pay tribute to the leadership of my Rt Hon friend the Prime Minister for becoming the first in history to take a HIV test, the first leader in the history of the G7 to take a HIV test.

As a former member of the independent HIV commission, I’m determined that this government will deliver our commitment to end new transmissions of HIV in England by 2030 and we’ll set this out shortly in our new action plan.

It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home. However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.

Since the introduction of self-testing kits, home testing has increased in popularity, especially among women and some ethnic minorities who are less likely to test through their local sexual health services.

The funding follows on from £27 million announced by the Prime Minister to extend the NHS England innovative opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments, announced ahead of World Aids Day.

The move supports the government’s Plan for Change by ensuring people can get timely access to diagnostics and care if they need it, while supporting the shift from sickness to prevention. It precedes the new HIV action plan, which is expected later this year.

Speaking at the House of Commons today (11 February 2025), Public Health and Prevention Minister, Ashley Dalton, said:

Increasing HIV testing is a vital step towards meeting our goal and will be a core element of our new HIV action plan published later this year.

That’s why we are investing over £4.5 million to deliver a national prevention programme.

And that’s why today, I can announce that we will extend the programme for a further year to March 2026, backed by an extra £1.5 million.

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

National HIV Testing Week is an award-winning campaign and we are so pleased that it will be back next year. The continued success of this partnership between Terrence Higgins Trust and the Department of Health and Social Care delivers 25,000 HIV at-home tests across England and is crucial in our joint mission to end new HIV cases by 2030.

England can be the first country in the world to end the epidemic, but we are not yet on track to do so. A new HIV action plan for England will turbo-charge those efforts. We are delighted that Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting are leading from the front in this mission.

Testing can also take place in community settings, not just at home or at sexual health services.

The UK Health Security Agency has published its community testing survey results today, which show that in 2023, testing in community settings – such as nightclubs, festivals and voluntary sector premises – increased by 7% compared to 2022.

The report also found nearly a quarter of all tests were reported among individuals being tested for HIV for the first time. It also highlights the impact of National HIV Testing Week, noting that there was a 22% increase in the number of tests carried out in this time compared to 2022.

Dr Tamara Ðuretić, Head of HIV section at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

HIV can affect anyone, no matter your gender or sexual orientation. It’s good to see National HIV Testing Week once again highlighting the hugely important role regular testing plays in helping to prevent new infections, alongside condom use.

Testing allows people to have access to free prevention interventions such as PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) and, should you test positive, ensures timely access to treatment that saves lives and prevents the virus being passed on.

NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, said:

Increasing the early detection and diagnoses of HIV enables the NHS to provide people with better access to the latest and most effective life-saving medication, which can prevent long-term health issues and reduces the chance of unknown transmissions to others.

Boosting opportunities to test for HIV, including through home testing and the highly successful NHS emergency department testing programme, is crucial. We would encourage anyone who could be living with HIV to order a test and get checked.

Background information

During National HIV Testing Week (10 to 16 February 2025), anyone in England can order a free HIV test from Free Testing HIV to do at home.

Alongside free postal test kits being available during National HIV Testing Week, there are also testing events and drop-ins happening across England. A variety of online, postal and face-to-face testing is also available year-round through local authority commissioned sexual and reproductive health services.

The government is also supporting the international effort to ending HIV and AIDS. A further £37 million, announced in November 2024, will go towards increasing access to vital sexual and reproductive health services and support for vulnerable and marginalised people across the globe. This is in addition to the government’s ongoing contribution to international efforts to tackle HIV and AIDS, totalling at least £497 million in 2023, which works to tackle stigma and improve testing, enable greater access to HIV prevention pill PrEP and better post-diagnosis support.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,071 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29 and 30 January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Great Britain adults (aged 18 and over).

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

Local communities to receive funding for family and school nurses, sexual health clinics and other public health services.

• Funds will drive key health services, from smoking cessation to addiction recovery and children’s health
• Public health grant, which funds health services and other interventions via local authorities, expands to £3.858 billion, an uplift of 5.4%
• Part of the government’s Plan for Change to help build an NHS fit for the future.

Local communities up and down the country will receive funding for family and school nurses, sexual health clinics and other public health services in their areas, thanks to a nearly £200 million boost in funding announced today (7 February 2025).

As part of government plans to improve health outcomes across the country and build healthier communities, local public health services will be given more money to deliver prevention programmes, tailored to their residents.

This investment is a key part of the government’s Plan for Change, shifting the focus from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention to build a more sustainable, fit for future NHS.

The funding for public health will power essential services such as smoking cessation programmes, addiction recovery, family and school nurses, sexual health clinics, local health protection services and public health support for local NHS services.

The boost represents a significant turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after nearly a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said:

Lord Darzi’s investigation into the NHS found that children are sicker today than a decade ago, and adults are falling into ill health earlier in life.

Prevention is better than cure. If we can reach people earlier and help them stay healthy, this extra investment will pay for itself several times over in reduced demand on the NHS and by keeping people in work.

Whether it’s supporting people to quit smoking, giving children a healthy start to life or providing addiction recovery services, this investment as part of the government’s Plan for Change will make a real difference in communities across the country.

After a decade of cuts to public health, this government is committed to shifting the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is.

Funding for public health grants will be increased to £3.858 billion – a 5.4% cash uplift (3.0% in real terms) on last year’s funding. This investment will tackle the root causes of ill health and build stronger, healthier communities nationwide.

Helping people live better for longer will aid in relieving pressure on the NHS and support the Plan for Change in ending hospital backlogs.

See public health grants to local authorities: 2025 to 2026 for more information about the allocations and grant conditions.

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

Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Naomi Eisenstadt CB and Phil Jordan become non-executive directors on the board of the Department of Health and Social Care.

• Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Naomi Eisenstadt CB and Phil Jordan join the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) board
• They bring cross-party and wide-ranging experience and will provide strategic guidance to support health and care reforms
• The appointments come as part of the government’s call for the country’s best talent to join its mission to fix the NHS

Experts from across the public and private sector have been appointed to the DHSC board to drive forward health and social care reform plans.

Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Naomi Eisenstadt CB and Phil Jordan’s wealth of experience and expertise across the political divide and both the public and private sector will be vital in supporting the government’s key missions to drive down waiting lists and reform the NHS as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, shifting the focus from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention, and from analogue to digital.

Baroness Cavendish is best known for her time as head of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Prime Minister David Cameron. Ms Eisenstadt was the first Director of Sure Start, widely regarded as one of the most important policy initiatives in recent history, while Mr Jordan has held a long and distinguished career in the private sector, including top roles at Sainsbury’s, Telefónica and Vodafone.

They will join Lead Non-Executive Director Alan Milburn, former Health Secretary under Tony Blair’s government, on the board of DHSC.

It comes as part of the government’s call for the best and brightest to join its mission to fix the broken NHS and reflects DHSC’s commitment to drawing on diverse skills and perspectives to ensure it is fit for the future.

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

I am drawing on people of different political persuasions, with public and private sector experience, to help us turn around the NHS, make it fit for the future, and reform social care.

The NHS is one of the biggest organisations in the world, and building a national care service is a generational ambition. We should be competing with global businesses to recruit the best and the brightest to our cause.

I am delighted to welcome Camilla, Naomi and Phil to their new roles. Their combined expertise in social policy and technology, deep understanding of healthcare and commitment to pragmatism over ideology will be invaluable as we fix our broken NHS.

If there are other people out there with the skills, experience and drive to transform the treatment and care of millions of people, then we want your help building our 10 Year Health Plan.

As non-executive directors, Camilla, Naomi and Phil will provide independent oversight, constructive challenge and strategic advice to the department. Their expertise will help shape DHSC’s mission to ensure the best possible health and care outcomes for everyone across England.

The NHS is broken and through the Plan for Change, it is the mission of this government to fix it and make the health service fit for the future. As part of this national mission, experts are being brought in to help develop policy, and NHS staff and patients have been invited to share their experience and ideas to change the NHS on the Change NHS website.

Baroness Camilla Cavendish

Former head of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Prime Minister David Cameron, Baroness Cavendish brings a wealth of experience across public policy, healthcare and journalism, and will draw on her expertise in social care while working at DHSC.

The vocal advocate for health and social care reform has led significant reviews that have shaped social care policy and practice. Notably, the Cavendish Review (2013) examined the training and development of health and social care support workers.

The review highlighted the need for improved standards of training, greater recognition for care workers and more robust safeguards for those in vulnerable situations. Her recommendations continue to influence workforce development across the sector.

Naomi Eisenstadt CB

Naomi Eisenstadt CB has a distinguished career in public policy and social welfare, including serving as the first director of the Sure Start Unit, where she spearheaded transformative early years programmes aimed at reducing inequality, and will bring her expertise on health inequalities to DHSC.

The scheme is one of the most successful social policy interventions in the past 30 years, demonstrating the importance of early intervention and prevention – one of the 3 big shifts this government is committed to in our 10 Year Plan for Health.

Currently serving as chair of the NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, Naomi’s extensive experience and commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable communities make her an invaluable addition to the department.

Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan will focus on data and digital capability at DHSC, drawing on his impressive background having led major initiatives across both the public and private sector.

With a proven track record in strategic leadership, including as Chief Information Officer at Sainsbury’s, Telefónica, and Vodafone UK and Ireland, Phil has been instrumental in driving innovation and efficiency in complex organisations.

His expertise will support the department’s ongoing efforts to modernise healthcare delivery and enhance digital infrastructure, as part of the vital shift from analogue to digital, equipping the health service with the cutting-edge technology it needs to tackle waiting lists, improve patient experience and speed up diagnosis.

Background information

These appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

In line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, political activity is not a bar to appointment but political activity during the last 5 years should be declared. Camilla Cavendish and Phil Jordan have not declared any political activity. Naomi Eisenstadt is a member of the Labour Party.

Government non-executives provide advice and bring an external perspective to the business of government departments by sitting on departmental boards. They do not have decision-making powers.

See DHSC public appointments: 2024 to 2025 for further information.

NHS England is currently advertising non-executive vacancies. See: non-executive opportunities in the NHS: public appointments for further information.

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

Tom Kibasi has over 20 years of experience working in the healthcare sector and will provide expert advice to government on how to fix the broken NHS.

• Tom has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Tom will work closely with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to draft the government’s 10 Year Health Plan

Tom Kibasi brings over 2 decades of healthcare sector experience into his new role, where he will provide expert advice and support to the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting’s reform agenda, including drafting the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

He has accepted a direct ministerial appointment to DHSC where he will support the department to turn the ideas for a better health service, coming from tens of thousands of patients and frontline staff, into successful delivery in the landmark 10 Year Health Plan. The plan will set out how the government’s 3 big shifts – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, from sickness to prevention – are to be delivered.

Tom is joint chair of 3 mental health and community NHS trusts, leading the charge to improve their quality of care and to help keep patients well in the community, having joined the board of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in 2016. This includes ensuring that trusts share best practice through a new board-in-common and a common framework for quality of care, access to services, finance and productivity. This expertise will help the government deliver the shift in healthcare from hospital to the community.

Tom led the drafting and directed the analysis for Lord Ara Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS, which reported in September 2024. The investigation found that the service is in a ‘critical condition’ amid surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health. Early in his career, Tom worked at the Department of Health as a senior policy adviser to Lord Darzi for his landmark 2008 review of the NHS: High Quality Care for All.

Tom Kibasi said:

The independent investigation was a devastating diagnosis of the problems that patients, the public and hard-working NHS staff experience every day.

Since then, there has been a remarkable process of public, staff and expert engagement on the 10 Year Health Plan. There is now huge energy and expectation about the vision that it will set for both the service and for the health of the nation.

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

Minister of State for Women’s Health, Baroness Merron, spoke at the Responsible AI: Women and Healthcare Conference 2025, in London.

I am absolutely delighted to be able to join you today, and I know I am amongst a very wide range of diverse voices and contributors here.

I want to say thank you for making the time to be here today and to take part, and for sharing your insight on an issue which has the potential to hugely impact for good. I might add, hugely impact our health system for many decades to come. Let me tell you, I’ve just come from speaking in the Chamber about osteoporosis, and I was asked a question by a Peer about the role of AI so I was very glad to be able to say I’m actually on my way to a conference to address this very point.

So, I say that because I want you to know how relevant this is in Parliament, and there is rightly a push for progress in the way that we are all committed to.

Since coming into government, we haven’t, and I haven’t, shied away from recognising the huge challenges that we’ve got to address in our health system, and I’m firmly of the view that our health service can only address the challenges of the future and indeed, the challenges of today, if we use the technologies of tomorrow.

It’s no good looking to the technologies of the past, and we are absolutely committed to delivering the digital transformation that potentially brings these benefits to life.

We know about the important point about health inequalities, that there are those for whom the NHS hasn’t been there when they need it, even though it should have been. So, as we look to build an NHS that’s fit for the future, it has to be about improvement for everybody, not just a select group.

It should not matter about what is your age, your ethnicity, your wealth, your religion, your sex or where you live. We have to work together to create a Britain, I believe, where everybody can live a healthier life for longer.

A key part of this has to be and must be women’s health to ensure that women are not sidelined in any way and, because that simply creates a negative effect on millions of lives, both directly but indirectly as well.

We know that women live a greater proportion of their lives in ill health and disability, and 60% of women in this country feel their health issues are not taken seriously. I know that women’s voices are often not heard, and I believe that’s to the detriment not just of the care that’s given, but also to our healthcare system.

So, for many, when this is combined with other factors like their ethnicity, or the area that they live in, it leads to even worse outcomes. Now that is a challenge to take on and to take it on fully, and we will do that. So, as we speak today, we know we’re on the brink of a technological revolution in healthcare and in many other areas.

AI will drive incredible amounts of change in our country, and we do have the opportunity to harness it, to turbocharge growth and to boost the quality of lives for all, including women.

So, we as a government are throwing our full support behind this because AI, as I referred to earlier, is the technology of today. It’s already being deployed in our economy. It’s already revolutionising the delivery of services, including public services, and very much changing how we deliver healthcare.

So, I don’t need to explain to all of you, because you will explain it better to me about how AI can make a transformational difference to the health of our country.

However, we have to bear in mind the experience of the past. We do know of instances in the past where not enough care has been taken with new technologies, and we’ve seen the damage that can do. So AI, without doubt opens doors to exciting and very real new possibilities, but we do need to build public confidence and trust that AI is being used responsibly, it’s being used safely and effectively for everyone, and I do think there is a job of work to be done there.

Without enough care, AI could potentially, in a not good way, incorporate all the same biases that have plagued our healthcare system for too long. There is already evidence of AI healthcare technologies working more effectively for men than for women.

So, for conditions such as liver disease and kidney disease, algorithms have been hailed as the best without accounting for this absolutely crucial point, and not enough of the patient data used to train these models has been from women. So that means that the AI models have translated the biases from our existing clinical methods into their own approaches.

So there needs to be much greater attention to developing technologies responsibly, and inclusively, that don’t leave women or indeed any other part of our population behind. By perpetuating these biases that may in part be a product of who is in the room developing these new technologies, possibly. Women are significantly underrepresented in the AI sector, as is commonly the case in other technology sectors.

One study suggested, I noted, that only a quarter of the AI workforce is female, and I have no doubt that having more women in the room, as we have today, would do a huge amount to help. Although, I do have to say it is not all the responsibility of women to ensure the woman’s perspective. Not at all.

So, as we look to AI, we need to ensure that 51% of our population must be worked with and for. This is not a minority group. We are a majority group and with particular healthcare needs. So, by taking steps to eliminate bias in healthcare AI, we will build trust, and I do think trust is so important, to build trust in this next wave of healthcare technologies and ensure that digital solutions can work for everyone.

We are, in government, committed to providing that support and enabling your efforts to come to fruition. We have supported the delivery of the Standing Together recommendations, which is a crucial piece of work developing standards for AI data sets, ensuring that they do reflect the diversity of the patient population and mean that we can see products that work for everybody.

With the National Institute for Health and Care Research, we are making sure that the UK research community incorporates sex and gender into its research, supporting the crucial work in the research inclusion strategy and finalising a sex and gender policy framework for funders through the Medical Science, Sex and Gender Equity project. But there is, of course, so much more to do and so much further that we can go to help you achieve the goal of making AI in healthcare work for everyone.

We will stand by your side in this crucial endeavour, and we are committed to enabling your efforts and finding ways to do that, because I believe it’s only with your expertise and your insight that the potential for digital transformation can be fully realised because what we want to see is faster diagnosis. We want to see better treatment. We want more efficient care to every person across the country.

It is thanks to your advocacy and to your knowledge and your initiative that we will ensure that we learn the lessons from the past, and we will make sure that nobody is left out as we look to the future.

So, let me thank you again for attending the conference today. I know that together we have the ability to achieve great things and making sure that the digital health revolution is one that’s embraced, that is safe and is fair for everyone, and will unlock the benefits of AI to improve the health of the nation.

I am looking forward to that. So, thank you very much.

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

Fresh guidance will give businesses the green light to sell certain pioneering hearing aids.

• Tens of thousands of people with hearing loss to benefit from government action as it delivers Plan for Change to drive growth and improve living standards
• Green light for companies to sell innovative devices, like earphones with hearing aid functionality
• Pro-business move supports UK’s ambitions to be tech superpower and shift healthcare from analogue to digital

Tens of thousands of people with hearing loss will have access to groundbreaking new hearing aid devices, thanks to government action.

Fresh guidance has been published today (16 January 2025), giving businesses around the world the green light to sell certain pioneering hearing aids here in the UK.

This includes earphones with both hearing test and hearing aid software functionalities. Such revolutionary products allow someone to take a hearing test at home using their earphones and an app on their phone. If the test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, the person can then switch on the hearing aid function on the same earphones.

This will make it easier and more convenient for patients to manage their own health. Combating hearing loss can also reduce associated risks like social isolation.

The government’s Plan for Change has a laser focus on securing the UK’s position as a global tech powerhouse which fosters innovation to transform the lives of working people, with the Prime Minister this week setting out a blueprint to unleash artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK – including in healthcare – and deliver a decade of national renewal.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

Britain can be a powerhouse for medical technology, but only if we rip out pointless regulation that suffocates innovation.

Groundbreaking new hearing aid devices have the potential to help tens of thousands of people with hearing loss, helping them to live their life to the full. The action we’re taking will give businesses the green light to start selling these products to patients across the UK.

This is part of the work this government is undertaking in partnership with leading technology companies, to harness the revolution in medical technology, bring our analogue healthcare into the digital age and make life more convenient for patients.

One in 3 adults in the UK are deaf or experience hearing loss or tinnitus – which rises to more than 50% of over 55s.

Of these, approximately 53% use hearing aids. Currently, there is uncertainty about whether patients are able to buy hearing aids directly, including as part of testing their hearing at home. Today’s guidance will put an end to this confusion – speeding up patient access to the devices while making the UK an attractive place to manufacture innovative and wearable medical technology.

The move delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment at the International Investment Summit to tackle bureaucracy blocking investment and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens that have previously stifled growth.

There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss. It may be caused by something treatable or it may be permanent. The NHS advises that if patients have not already undergone a clinical assessment, they should see a GP if:

• they think their hearing is getting gradually worse
• they’ve had treatment for an ear infection or earwax build-up but their hearing has not come back
• they have sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
• their hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks
• they have hearing loss along with other symptoms, such as earache or discharge coming out of the ear

Patients can also have hearing tests at some pharmacists and opticians too.

Patient safety will be paramount, and the government will ensure that all manufacturers comply with the relevant legislation. People will also still be encouraged to seek clinical advice through their GP if they are having problems with their hearing.

This will help fulfil 2 of the 10 Year Health Plan’s key goals – moving care from hospital to the community and shifting the health service from analogue to digital.

The move will help establish the UK as a global leader for innovative treatments and technologies, supporting sustained economic growth, good jobs and increased productivity across the country, while ensuring patients have greater control of their own healthcare.

Background information

The government has already set out a series of steps to ensure this kind of innovation is nurtured in the UK.

In October, a new group was set up to ensure new technologies – like AI for better treatments in our NHS and drones delivering emergency supplies to all corners of the UK, could reach the public faster.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) will reduce the burden for businesses hoping to bring new products and services to the market, including AI training software for surgeons to deliver more accurate surgical treatments for patients.

It will speed up approvals and ensure different regulatory bodies work together smoothly.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 January 2025.

£5.5 million to go towards vital research projects to tackle ongoing mpox outbreaks in DRC and neighbouring countries.

• Ministers announce funding for research to tackle ongoing mpox outbreaks in Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries
• Research projects will focus on transmission, improved surveillance of outbreaks, and new vaccines and treatments for the virus, particularly for mothers and newborns
• Investment will help tackle mpox at source to protect the UK public

The UK government has announced £5.5 million for research into transmission, new vaccines and treatments to tackle the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

The significant investment is part of the UK’s international response to mpox: providing critical support to countries at the centre of the outbreak and strengthening global health security, while ensuring the UK is protected.

The funding will go towards research projects focused on:

• studying the genetics and transmission patterns of clade 1b mpox and strengthening public health responses in affected regions
• developing vaccines, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable groups
• supporting clinical trials involving mothers and newborn children – including improving the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral treatments

Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron said:

We are proud to be at the forefront of the international response to mpox.

This crucial funding will develop our understanding of the disease, and hopefully develop new ways of protecting people at risk of this terrible disease – particularly mothers and their babies who are particularly vulnerable.

It will also help protect the UK and improve our resilience to future outbreaks.

Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said:

Working together as genuine partners to tackle infectious diseases helps us all.

Since August, the UK has been working with others including UNICEF and the WHO to bolster the international response to mpox and prevent its spread across borders.

By investing in expertise, we will better equip the international community to tackle this disease and protect communities both in central Africa and at home in the UK.

This funding has been given through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and will support 9 major research projects in partnership with the Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (Global Health EDCTP3).

In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to the newly identified clade 1b outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This outbreak has expanded to neighbouring countries, and a small number of cases have been detected in other countries including Thailand, Sweden and the USA.

Five cases of clade 1b mpox were confirmed in England last year. The risk of clade 1b mpox to the UK population remains low, and the government is closely monitoring the disease.

In September 2024, the UK government secured more than 150,000 doses of mpox vaccines to help boost resilience against clade 1 mpox and protect the UK population.

Protecting the UK’s health from current and future threats, and strengthening our collaboration with global partners to better prevent outbreaks worldwide, is part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Building scientific expertise through international research – by better understanding diseases and developing vaccines – will be crucial to achieving the core shift from sickness to prevention, an important part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR, said:

Scientific research can improve lives, and this vital funding will strengthen our international response to mpox. By building on our scientific expertise and collaborating with global partners, we can better prevent and control future outbreaks worldwide.

This research will look into ways to protect vulnerable people, especially women and newborn children, who have been disproportionately affected by the mpox outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. This work is crucial for advancing health equity and building more resilient communities.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

Research funding for mpox focused in the areas most affected in Africa is critical to the scientific understanding of this disease. This collaborative funding, alongside ongoing international efforts, will provide a much needed injection of support to reduce the spread of mpox across the globe.

There has been extensive planning by the government and UKHSA to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to and contact trace any further cases.