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  1. Past hour
  2. Community Post
    This is an important area of research. With initiatives like Pharmacy First, there's a growing need for rapid, accurate point-of-care diagnostics that can help distinguish uncomplicated UTIs from cases requiring further investigation, while also supporting appropriate antibiotic prescribing. I'm also interested in learning more about real-world evidence on patient experiences, costs, and current care pathways across community pharmacies and primary care. If anyone has come across recent studies, pilot programs, or reports covering these aspects, I'd appreciate any recommendations.
  3. Today
  4. Content Article
    Known as MBRRACE-UK, this outcome review programme’s latest report focuses on UK perinatal deaths of babies born in 2024, finding that rates of baby death continued to decrease in that year. Since MBRRACE-UK began, the number of babies who died shortly before, during, or soon after birth has been falling Stillbirth, neonatal mortality and extended perinatal mortality rates were lower in England and for the UK as a whole, compared with 2023. In 2024, the UK extended perinatal mortality rate was 4.77 baby deaths for every 1,000 births, which is 21% lower than in 2013. However, inequalities linked to deprivation, ethnicity and prematurity remain. Mortality rates continue to be higher in the most deprived areas, and babies of Black and Asian ethnicity continue to experience higher mortality rates than babies of White ethnicity. The report also highlights the relationship between ethnicity, deprivation and congenital anomalies, with some ethnic groups being more likely to live in the most deprived areas and congenital anomalies contributing disproportionately to neonatal mortality. But there are some small encouraging shifts, such as the fact that neonatal mortality for the most deprived group fell by 14%, while the gap between most and least deprived areas narrowed slightly after years of widening. These findings show that progress is being made in reducing baby deaths, but there is still important work to do – especially to tackle the gaps linked to deprivation, ethnicity, and how early in pregnancy a baby is born.
  5. Content Article
    This BMJ article argues that repeated failures in NHS maternity services—highlighted by the Nottingham review, which found hundreds of cases of potentially avoidable harm and deaths—cannot be explained solely by staffing, leadership or system pressures, but instead stem from a deeper cultural issue: an entrenched ideology that prioritises “normal childbirth” over safety. This mindset has led to patterns such as delaying interventions, discouraging women from seeking care early and failing to escalate risks, even when warning signs are present. The author suggests that clinicians often act according to what seems reasonable within their belief system (“local rationality”), meaning harmful decisions are shaped by training and culture rather than intent.
  6. Content Article
    Hearing another professional speak disrespectfully about a patient can be shocking and upsetting. So what should you do? Abi Rimmer hears three opinions in this BMJ commentary.
  7. News Article
    An NHS hospital trust in Greater Manchester is using a new form of technology to help tackle growing pressure on its emergency department. Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify patients who may need extra support before they end up back in hospital. The tool looks at information already routinely collected during a visit to Tameside General Hospital A&E and predicts which patients are most likely to return within the next month, allowing staff to step in with community care before their health problem worsens. Read full story Source: Manchester Evening News
  8. News Article
    The findings of two recent health inquiries in Northern Ireland demand a clear, direct and robust response, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said. In a hard-hitting speech to senior health leaders, Nesbitt said the experiences of patients described in the reports had rocked public confidence in the health and social care system. The minister said both reports set out serious and in places deeply disturbing failings in care which highlight breakdown in systems, in oversight and culture. Read full story Source: BBC News, 30 June 2026
  9. News Article
    A review into maternity safety in England was changed just days before publication to remove criticism of a "normal birth drive", according to a former member of the inquiry team. The campaign, which encourages vaginal birth without any medical intervention and is backed by many midwives, has been found to have contributed to avoidable deaths and harm in other reviews. But Dr Bill Kirkup told the BBC that similar criticism was removed from the government-commissioned review, forcing him to resign. Read full story Source: BBC News, 1 July 2026
  10. News Article
    Up to 4 million women with irregular periods should be investigated for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, according to new NHS guidance. PMOS, previously known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, is believed to affect up to 13% of reproductive age women, the World Health Organization estimates. Symptoms include irregular, very short, long or absent periods, excess levels of testosterone, and ovaries with multiple small follicles. The condition is associated with greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease, mental health issues and complications in pregnancy. Read full story Source: Guardian, 1 July 2026
  11. Content Article
    NHS England are seeking views from manufacturers and users of health and social care technology products to help them improve the clinical risk management standards DCB0129 and DCB0160. These mandatory standards protect patients by ensuring all health IT systems are properly assessed for clinical risks before they are used in patient care. DCB0129 sets out requirements for technology manufacturers and DCB0160 covers how health and social care organisations deploy and use these systems safely. This consultation closes on Friday 11 September 2026.
  12. Yesterday
  13. Content Article
    In this reflective blog, Chris Elston describes his experience of helping to implement the National Standards for Safer Invasive Procedures (NatSSIPs 2) within an NHS Trust. Drawing on personal experiences of working in operating theatres, he recounts how the project was marked by confusion over changing terminology, slow progress, unclear governance processes, and difficulties identifying procedures, staff, and training needs. A key turning point was establishing an Invasive Procedures Committee to provide oversight and support. Although the new checklists have now been finalised and are being tested, he remains uncertain whether NatSSIPs 2 offers significant safety benefits beyond the simpler WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. Ultimately, he reflects on lessons learned about patience, collaboration, and the importance of clear, centralised document control systems in supporting patient safety improvements.
  14. News Article
    Doctors are issuing urgent warnings about a dangerous online trend involving microwaving "squishy" toys, after several children sustained severe burns. Videos circulating widely online depict these soft, squeezable toys being heated to enhance their pliability. However, experts warn that this causes internal pressure to build within the squishy, significantly increasing the risk of it exploding. The hot gel released can then stick to skin, leading to serious injuries. The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries related to this trend over the past eight months, with some requiring surgery, including skin grafts. Eight-year-old Joseph Erskine, from Clackmannanshire, was among those injured, needing weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand in May. Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. “When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns. “These injuries can be very serious and may require long-term treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation. “In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring. We strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 28 June 2026
  15. Event
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    The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation is a landmark moment. Its recommendations, published on 30 June 2026, aim to drive urgent improvements in maternity and neonatal care and safety, reduce inequalities and deliver justice and accountability for families. Every maternity professional needs to understand what this means for their organisation - and act on it. Browne Jacobson have assembled a panel of leading legal, clinical and patient voices to help you do exactly that. During this interactive session, you will gain a clear understanding of the investigation’s key findings and recommendations, insight into what they mean for your organisation in practice and actionable steps you can take back to your team straight away. The session will be chaired by Browne Jacobson’s Kelly Buckley, Partner, and Amelia Newbold, Risk Management Lead, who will provide expert legal analysis and discuss the implications with our panel: Sarah Land - Co-Founder and CEO of the charity Peeps, and mum to Heidi. Sarah set up Peeps to support parents, families and friends affected by HIE (Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy). She brings a powerful patient and family perspective, advocating for meaningful engagement with affected families throughout the process of change. Dr Denise Chaffer - CBE FRCN, a highly experienced midwife and healthcare executive specialising in clinical risk and patient safety. Denise is the former Director of Safety and Learning for NHS Resolution and Chair of the Independent Review of Maternity and Neonatal Service at Swansea Bay. She brings unparalleled insight into what effective implementation of systemic recommendations actually requires on the ground. Ms Jyoti Sidhu - Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, offering a frontline clinical perspective on the realities of delivering change within a busy NHS trust. Lorraine Cardill - Director of Midwifery and Neonatal Services at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, offering a frontline clinical perspective on the realities of delivering change within two busy NHS trusts. You will have the chance to share experiences and best practice with peers and put your questions directly to the panel. Join this important conversation by registering your free space here. Register
  16. Community Post
    The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) would like to better understand the landscape of Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E) in healthcare in the UK. Our aim is to support better use of, and integration of, HF/E into the healthcare environment. In order to do this, they want to understand the current picture - how many people work in an HF/E related job? How many work in NHS trusts/private hospitals? What sort of roles do they do? Etc. Please complete this survey. It should only take a maximum of 5 minutes to complete. Human Factors & Ergonomics In Healthcare - UK ONLY survey Please feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be relevant. This includes health and safety and manual handling roles. Responses are anonymous and CIEHF will not collect your personal data. Thank you, The CIEHF Team Deadline: 12th July 2026
  17. Event
    NHS Scotland's 1-day National Human Factors Networking and Learning Symposium meeting. Draft programme with details of speakers, presentations and workshops to follow as soon as possible. Register
  18. News Article
    Ministers should create a new specialist unit to assess maternity services because the Care Quality Commission does not have the credibility to do so, a government review has concluded. Baroness Valerie Amos’ national maternity and neonatal investigation, established by former health secretary Wes Streeting a year ago, published its final report, recommendations and 12 trust-level investigations today. Among the eight national recommendations, it says ministers must establish a “specialist regulatory unit” to provide assessment for maternity and neonatal services. The report said: “We do not consider that CQC has credibility as the regulator of maternity and neonatal care with clinical teams, executive teams, or families.” The Department of Health and Social Care’s oversight of the regulator has also been “insufficient”, with “limited evidence… that [it] has addressed the significant problems CQC continues to experience”. Baroness Amos cited a recent example of a service being rated “good” despite serious safety concerns being raised with her team. The report says officials should “work with CQC to improve its effectiveness immediately and start work to put in place a specialist regulatory unit…[which] must include clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds”. Asked by HSJ, the review team said it intended for this to be a dedicated unit within the CQC. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 30 June 2026
  19. News Article
    The chair of several high-profile safety inquiries has resigned from the government’s national maternity review in a dispute over “normal birth ideology”, HSJ can reveal. Bill Kirkup, who also investigated the Morecambe Bay and East Kent maternity scandals, stepped down from his position as expert adviser to the national maternity and neonatal investigation. In a letter ahead of today’s publication of the national review, its chair Baroness Valerie Amos writes: “Dr Bill Kirkup has decided to step down from his role as one of the expert advisers to the NMNI. “This was following discussions regarding the wording of the conclusions relating to normal birth ideology in the final report, where we were not able to reach agreement.” However, HSJ understands Dr Kirkup’s position is that he resigned because of a disagreement of principle over the findings on normal birth, and not simply on the specific wording. It appears he wanted a stronger line on the patient safety consequences of a normal birth ideology than Baroness Amos would agree to. A “normal birth” ideology has been repeatedly referred to in various recent maternity scandals, prioritising spontaneous vaginal birth with minimal medical interventions as an ideal outcome. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 29 June 2026
  20. News Article
    Families across the country will see their maternity and neonatal care overhauled, as the Government takes urgent steps in response to Baroness Amos’ landmark independent investigation - including the creation of the UK’s first ever Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner. The new commissioner will provide independent leadership to hold the system to account, drive change and rebuild trust, co-chairing the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce with the Secretary of State. Crucially, the commissioner will ensure the voices of women are always heard by those at the heart of the system. Baroness Amos examined the experiences of thousands of women, their families and staff, alongside local investigations of 12 trusts, and her report paints a stark picture. It found a system that is fragmented, overly complex and too slow to learn, that women and families are not being listened to, there is a lack of accountability and answers when things go wrong, and that racism and discrimination are driving inequalities in care. Staff also reported feeling unheard. A comprehensive National Action Plan will be published in December 2026, setting out priority actions and long-term reform to deliver safer, fairer care. This will be driven by the taskforce, bringing together families, clinicians and other experts with a clear focus on safety, equity and accountability. Alongside structural reform, the Government is investing a further £41 million to tackle urgent safety risks in maternity and neonatal facilities, building on £145 million already committed since April 2025. This funding will address issues such as fire safety, ventilation issues and outdated infrastructure - creating safer environments for mothers and newborns. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, said: "For too long women, babies and families have been failed by a system that didn’t listen. Their stories are heart-breaking and demand action. I am grateful to Baroness Amos for her work on this landmark review, which is a turning point. Appointing the UK’s first ever Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner will drive lasting change and make sure women and families are never ignored again. For patients, the changes will mean more consistent, responsive care. New national standards for maternity triage will ensure women are assessed quickly, listened to properly and given safe, timely care from the moment they arrive. The aim is clear: to end the postcode lottery and ensure every family receives the same high standard of care." Read press release Source: Department of Health and Social Care, 30 June 2026
  21. News Article
    Regulators are about to significantly strip back regulation of ambient voice technology (AVT) – one of the fastest-growing healthcare AI tools – HSJ has learned. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will make clear that some AVTs, also known as AI scribes, will no longer be classed as a medical device, according to several well-placed sources. This would remove a key oversight mechanism for a rapidly developing area and a provider market that NHS leaders have likened to the Wild West. National leaders are seeking to accelerate roll-out of the tech, which will potentially release huge amounts of medics’ time by automating entry into medical records and other admin. Under guidance that HSJ understands is due to be published shortly by the MHRA, most suppliers would no longer need to seek medical device classification for their ambient scribes. The regulator will stress that this is only required for AVTs with a “medical intended purpose” – effectively only advanced products which also profess to make medical diagnoses or have a therapeutic function. The move would mark a major departure from NHS England policy over the past year. NHSE’s national AVT registry, launched just five months ago to tackle what a national official called a “Wild West” market, requires suppliers to hold at least self-certified Class I accreditation (the lowest risk category of medical device registration). And a year ago, NHSE warned trusts against adopting “non-compliant” AI technology, stating that tools must have at least Class I accreditation and Class IIa for enhanced “capabilities” such as “generative diagnoses, management plans or other medical referrals and calculations”. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 29 June 2026
  22. Content Article
    Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, occurring in an estimated 27 million women globally every year and causing about 43 000 maternal deaths. Common causes of PPH are uterine atony, trauma, retained placenta, and coagulopathy, with risk heightened by factors including caesarean birth, anaemia, and inadequate antenatal care. In a three-paper Lancet series, prevention centres on addressing modifiable risk factors for PPH, reducing unnecessary caesarean sections, and administration of uterotonic prophylaxis. Early diagnosis by objective quantification of blood loss and monitoring of vital signs is crucial. Swift treatment following a standardised bundle, and avoiding delays along the management pathway, saves lives.
  23. Content Article
    Kath Sansom, founder of Sling the Mesh, asked what should be an easy mesh data question. Except nobody at NHS England can answer. Which tells us everything about gaps in accountability. The question? How many women have had to have part of their bladder or bowel removed because pelvic mesh eroded into their organs? How many are now living with a stoma bag because of these complications? The answer should exist. It should be easy to find. It should be centrally recorded. But NHS England says it does not hold this information. We are talking about some of the most severe, life-changing outcomes possible and there is no national record. Women are instead told that the data might sit with individual Trusts, scattered and inaccessible unless someone tries to piece it together manually. That’s not transparency. That’s a system that doesn’t fully see the harm it has caused.
  24. Content Article
    More information about "10 questions every organisation should ask about their PPIE"
    In this blog, hub Topic leader Aurora Todisco shares her new mini-guide - 10 questions every organisation should ask about their PPIE. She explains how and when it can be used to help improve approaches to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement. A reflective tool for stronger involvement Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is often well intentioned, but not always well examined. Over time, practices can become habitual, with limited reflection on whether involvement is genuinely inclusive, ethical or impactful. I have developed a new resource, 10 Questions Every Organisation Should Ask About Their PPIE (attached below). It is designed to prompt honest reflection and meaningful improvement. 10_Questions_Every_Organisation_Should_Ask_About_Their_PPIE (1).docx Why questions matter Rather than offering prescriptive answers, this mini guide encourages organisations to pause and ask critical questions such as: Why are we involving people? Are we involving them early enough to influence decisions? Are diverse voices genuinely represented? Do people know how their input has been used? These questions can be uncomfortable – but they are essential if involvement is to move beyond a tick box exercise. Supporting better conversations The questions are suitable for: team discussions and away days governance and quality improvement reviews planning new projects or programmes. They are supported by a clear checklist covering accessibility, feedback, support, recognition and evaluation of impact. Creating accountability Asking these questions regularly helps organisations: identify gaps between values and practice strengthen accountability to lived experience contributors improve the quality and credibility of PPIE activity. Used together with my other resources (links below), this guide helps create a more thoughtful, transparent and respectful approach to involvement. An invitation to reflect Strong PPIE isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about being willing to reflect, listen and change. These ten questions offer a simple but powerful starting point. Related resources How authentic patient stories can shift systems thinking and improve care Being ready for meaningful Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement, and why it matters for patient safety Making meetings inclusive: a practical guide for PPIE Avoiding tokenism: ensuring meaningful Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) The Lived Experience Involvement Toolkit: turning good intentions into practical involvement From consultation to co-production – a beginner’s guide
  25. Content Article
    More information about "Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England – Final report and recommendations (30 June 2026)"
    On the 23 June 2025 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced a rapid, national, independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services. This final report highlights key areas of concern, identifies barriers to delivering change and sets out a robust package of eight recommendations aimed at delivering long-term systemic and cultural transformation in maternity and neonatal care. It builds on an interim report published in February 2026. The report makes eight recommendations aimed to address the systemic problems identified in this report: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) must create a statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, introducing legislation into the Health Bill at the earliest possible opportunity, and appointing a Commissioner within six months of Royal Assent. DHSC, NHS England (NHSE), Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS trusts must take action to listen to the voices of women, birthing people and families within 12 months. DHSC, NHSE and CQC must drive improvement, within 12 months, of the quality, transparency, oversight and accountability of investigations and ensure learning is captured and acted upon when things go wrong. DHSC/NHSE must design a Modern Service Framework for maternity and neonatal services within 12 months and begin rollout within 18 months. DHSC, NHSE, ICBs, NHS trusts, the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) must treat racism, discrimination and inequality as a critical maternity safety issue – within 12 months, with work starting immediately. DHSC/NHSE must clarify existing system governance, oversight and accountability structures and improve the effectiveness of regulatory oversight within nine months. DHSC, NHSE, ICBs and NHS trusts must work with colleges, universities, post graduate educators and others to improve culture and teamworking, and strengthen leadership at all levels of the system and across professions within 12 months. DHSC/NHSE must deliver estates and digital systems that are fit for modern maternity and neonatal care with 12-month, five-year and 10-year investment commitments and implementation deadlines.
  26. Last week
  27. Event
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    Dr Zoe Brummell will summarise her research into the Learning from Deaths programme and explore the obstacles to organisational learning as well as the ways it should happen. The session will explore How the Learning from Deaths programme failed to learn. What gets in the way of learning. What learning that leads to improvements looks like. Why partnership with families for organisational learning matters and what it looks like. Register
  28. Event
    Families are contacted by a Family Liaison Officer from the NHS at one of the most vulnerable moments people are likely to experience – following an unexpected and traumatic death. Families, often overwhelmed by grief, face arranging the funeral, an NHS investigation, a Coroner’s Inquest – processes that are unfamiliar, confusing and often alarming. Families describing these processes talk about feeling lost, frightened, confused, faced with trying to ask questions to systems they don’t understand. The Family Liaison Officer can offer support, information, understanding, signposting and consensual referrals to other sources of help. But not all Trusts employ them and it is not always clear how their insights help Trusts learn and improve. The session will explore: The role of Family Liaison Officers? – A national perspective The difference between a Family Liaison Officer working in the NHS and in the Police How families experience Family Liaison Officers How we hope this role will develop Register
  29. Event
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    Mental health services have developed Experts by Experience work to involve patients/service users in services, but the engagement of family and friends carers has progressed much more slowly. It’s complicated by complex family relationships and potential disagreements and estrangements, yet family and friends know their loved one best of all and hold information that can assist with safety planning, understanding risk and supporting recovery. This session will explore: What co-production is – and what it is not. How co-production with patients/service users can work well. How can we improve co-production with family and friends carers. What best practice looks like. Register
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