Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a flat estate levy and a mandatory payroll contribution to fund an NHS-style social care system costing £18.7 billion annually.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has initiated a major overhaul of England's adult social care system, aiming to elevate care worker pay and avert an NHS crisis.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called an emergency Downing Street summit on social care, inviting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey to find a cross-party solution.

A specialist machine that keeps donated lungs alive outside the body could rescue four in every five donated lungs that currently go to waste in England and Wales.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the NHS faces collapse without urgent social care reform, as Downing Street considers accelerating the Casey Commission.

New analysis shows significant regional disparities in NHS elective care, with patients in wealthier areas more likely to be treated within 18 weeks.

The NHS waiting list for routine hospital treatment has risen for the second consecutive month, reaching 7.40 million patient pathways. Officials cite new referrals, industrial action, and infrastructure constraints as key drivers behind the service pressures.

As Andy Burnham prepares to assume the office of Prime Minister, he faces pressure to reveal his legislative agenda and complete his cabinet appointments.

Recent surveillance data reveals a summer increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions across the UK, even as other respiratory illnesses remain in decline. A separate report has also detailed critical failures and poor post-death care within the mortuary services at Nottingham University Hospitals.

Record-breaking temperatures are causing cooling system and equipment failures across NHS trusts, forcing the cancellation of patient appointments.

A chronic shortage of anaesthetists is stalling the surgical pipeline across the UK, leaving millions of patients facing treatment delays and deteriorating health.

Navigating NHS elective surgery backlogs involves proactive steps, such as reviewing clinical priority and using platforms like My Planned Care. Patients can also explore options like short-notice lists or provider choice to help manage their care journey.

The government is establishing the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body to determine statutory pay rates for care-sector staff starting in 2028. This move intends to address high turnover and staffing shortages by aligning care-worker pay structures with the NHS model.

The England NHS waiting list has fallen to 7.25 million treatments, reaching its lowest level since early 2023 despite the busiest winter on record.

The Office for National Statistics has identified significant inconsistencies in how NHS waiting list data is reported across the four UK nations. Experts warn that differing metrics for referral and treatment pathways make direct comparisons misleading.

The NHS is deploying new artificial intelligence and digital tools to optimize clinical scheduling, triage patients, and reduce administrative burdens.

The United Kingdom has set a new record for the number of days reaching 34C in 2026, as the ongoing heatwave strains national infrastructure and healthcare.

The NHS waiting list reached its lowest level since March 2023, though health officials and leaders caution that a five-day strike may jeopardize gains.

Despite record-breaking levels of diagnostic imaging, the NHS continues to face high waiting lists due to rising demand and significant workforce shortages. Experts warn that without investment in staff, the system will struggle to overcome these persistent challenges.

New data shows a decline in the NHS routine treatment backlog for the sixth consecutive month, alongside mixed results for emergency care and cancer targets.