RCN raises alarm over continuing workforce shortages, as 32,000 nursing students predicted to quit by 2029

The College has called for government action to ease the financial burden on entrants.

Public urged to get flu vaccine as hospitalisation rates rise steeply

Flu positivity has jumped to 17.1% as vaccine take-up rates lag, and levels of norovirus hit their highest in a decade for the time of year

‘Offensive’ Government 2.8% NHS pay rise ‘less than a price of coffee,’ says RCN

The Government’s proposal of a 2.8% pay increase for health workers has been slammed by the RCN as ‘offensive.’

Medical misogyny leaving women in years of ‘needless pain,’ MPs warn

The Women and Equalities Committee reported ‘pervasive stigma’ and ‘deprioritisation’ of women’s issues as the main problems, and has called on the NHS to urgently transform services

Atrial fibrillation – what the primary care nurse needs to know

QNI 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony highlights outstanding nurses

The annual Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) Awards Ceremony was held on Friday 29 November, celebrating the exceptional work of over 500 nurses and their contributions to healthcare, by awarding one of...

Patients to wait 12 years to access weight loss drug Mounjaro

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is prioritising the drug for people with highest needs to ‘protect the NHS’ from being overwhelmed

Health leaders worry about upcoming winter pressures, as ‘barely a spare bed’ remains in the NHS

Health leaders expressed their concern about the upcoming winter pressures predicted to hit the NHS as the healthcare system already functions ‘under considerable strain,’ citing increased investment...

Health Secretary commits to first ever men’s health strategy

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has announced plans for a men’s health strategy at a Men’s Health Summit

Five million women not up to date with cervical screening

Women are being urged to come forward for cervical screening as new figures show more than five million are not up to date with their routine check-ups

Hold direct pay talks in England to fix NHS, RCN tells Health Secretary

Leading health unions the RCN, Unite and Unison have urged Wes Streeting to do away with the ‘outdated and bureaucratic’ pay review body, and negotiate directly

UK secures influenza vaccine to boost preparedness

The UK Government has agreed a contract for more than five million doses of human H5 influenza vaccine to boost the country’s resilience in the event of a possible H5 influenza pandemic

MPs back changing the law to allow assisted dying

In a historic vote, the House of Commons has backed legislating to allow terminally ill patients the right to end their own lives.

40.3 million appointments delivered by primary care, despite declining budget

A new report showed that a record number of appointments were delivered by October 2024, which raised concerns about an increase in duties by general practice and primary care, despite warnings of...

The Cass Review and its findings

Amanda Halliwell looks at the results of the recent review of gender identity services in the UK