NHS
Thousands in England denied life-extending prostate cancer drug
Thousands of men in England will gain access to the hormone therapy abiraterone for non-metastatic, high-risk prostate cancer starting in January 2026.
NHS app to introduce AI triage tool to direct patients to services
The NHS is launching an AI-powered triage tool within its app to help direct patients to the most appropriate service and manage demand for GP appointments. This initiative is part of a broader £10 billion investment in health service technology and data systems.
Wirral Council to spend £2m on Birkenhead Park makeover
Wirral Council has formally allocated £2 million for the refurbishment of Birkenhead Park. This investment is part of a broader effort to elevate the borough's status as a visitor destination.
Betsi Cadwaladr health board cuts private sector spending to £14 million
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has significantly reduced its spending on outsourcing NHS treatments to private providers over three years. The decrease follows changing trends across clinical departments and ongoing discussions regarding NHS waiting list management.
Study reveals spinning could reduce NHS waiting lists for physiotherapy
New research indicates that group-based stationary cycling programmes improve recovery outcomes for hip osteoarthritis patients and increase cost-efficiency.
UHB Emergency Department live waiting times currently unavailable
University Hospitals Birmingham has confirmed a technical outage impacting its live emergency department waiting time displays across its hospital sites. The trust is encouraging patients to utilize the NHS 111 service while the digital service undergoes repairs.
My Planned Care portal to show non‑urgent surgery waiting times
The NHS is launching the My Planned Care portal to provide patients with accessible waiting-time data and information on their surgical pathways. The service is part of new standards designed to improve transparency and patient communication while they wait for treatment.
NHS publishes waiting list breakdowns to tackle health inequalities
The NHS has launched a transparency initiative to address health inequalities by releasing detailed demographic data to inform targeted care interventions. This effort is part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to improve outcomes in deindustrialised cities and coastal towns.
Public Health Scotland reports rise in ongoing hospital waiting lists
Public Health Scotland reports that overall hospital waiting lists remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels despite targeted investments. Officials have introduced monthly reporting to increase transparency amid ongoing operational pressures.
NHS Wales misses waiting lists targets ahead of Senedd election
Provisional data shows the Welsh Government missed three primary healthcare targets, with approximately 666,700 people waiting for treatment in March 2026.
NHS England launches interactive dashboard for referral waiting times
NHS England has introduced a new digital tool that allows the public to monitor consultant-led Referral to Treatment statistics as the service manages elective care backlogs.
NHS England publishes corridor care data as backlogs rise
New data quantifying daily corridor care incidents highlights the scale of patient crowding, alongside persistent failures to meet elective and cancer targets.
Northern Ireland health service cuts waiting lists with 385,182 extra cases
The Department of Health reported 385,182 additional interventions during 2025/26, citing progress in reducing waiting lists through the Elective Care Framework. Despite these gains, officials acknowledge ongoing challenges including workforce vacancies and rising demand for care.
NHS Wales App adds waiting list tracking for patients
Patients in Wales can now monitor their hospital referral status and wait times through the NHS Wales App. The update offers greater transparency for those on waiting lists since December.
NHS waiting times for emergency and elective care remain below targets
New performance data reveals ongoing pressure on the NHS, with elective waiting lists increasing and emergency departments struggling to meet official goals. Analysts have also raised concerns regarding the methods used to report reductions in waiting lists.
£80m boost to cut waiting times across Northern Ireland’s health service
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced an £80m investment package designed to address service pressures and increase elective care capacity in Northern Ireland. The funding aims to support long-term reform through regional collaboration and the integration of new technologies.
NHS waiting list climbs to 7.41 million for third month running
England's hospital waiting list has climbed for the third consecutive month, raising alarms as the health service prepares for mounting winter pressures.
Physician appointment wait times hit 31 days as shortages deepen
The average wait for a new-patient appointment has risen to 31 days, a 19% increase since 2022. The report highlights how workforce constraints and insurance acceptance impact patient access to care.
NHS waiting list drops to 26-month low as record treatments delivered
NHS England has delivered record numbers of treatments, reducing the elective care waiting list to its lowest level in over two years.
NHS faces worst-case scenario as super flu hospitalisations surge by 55%
A mutated H3N2 influenza strain has led to record hospitalisations, prompting some NHS trusts to reintroduce mask-wearing in specific clinical areas.