Hospitals across England are being urged to speed up treatment for patients waiting for planned care as the government places renewed focus on reducing NHS backlogs. Improving waiting times has become one of the central health priorities for the current parliament, with ministers aiming to bring down the number of people facing long delays for non-emergency procedures.

Under the latest target, at least 65% of patients should be treated within 18 weeks of being referred by the end of March 2026. The 18-week standard is a long-standing benchmark used to measure how quickly patients receive planned operations, specialist consultations and other routine hospital care.

To help reach that goal, each NHS trust has been set its own improvement target. Hospitals are expected to either ensure that 60% of patients are treated within 18 weeks or increase their performance by at least five percentage points compared with their figures from November 2024 — whichever represents the greater improvement.

Health officials say this is only an interim step in a wider recovery plan for the NHS. The long-term ambition is to restore waiting times closer to previous standards, with a target that 92% of patients should receive treatment within 18 weeks by July 2029. Achieving this would represent a major reduction in the treatment backlog that has grown significantly in recent years.

Many family doctors say they have never refused a patient’s request to be signed off work due to mental health concerns. In a survey of more than 5,000 GPs across England, 752 responded, with 540 saying they had never rejected such a request. A further 162 said they had turned down at least one request, while 50 preferred not to comment. Several doctors argued that deciding whether someone should be declared unfit for work should not be a core responsibility of general practitioners.

Some GPs described the role as challenging because it places them in the difficult position of both supporting patients and judging whether time off work is appropriate. Doctors warned this can damage the doctor–patient relationship, as people often visit their GP seeking support rather than assessment. A number of practitioners also reported tensions when requests are refused, with some patients becoming confrontational or refusing to leave until a fit note is issued.

The number of fit notes issued has risen steadily in recent years. Data shows that mental health and behavioural conditions are now the most common reason cited, accounting for more than 956,000 notes last year. However, in many cases the notes do not specify a particular cause. While fit notes can suggest adjustments that might allow someone to remain in work, most still sign individuals off completely.

There are growing calls to review how the system operates. Some experts believe GPs may not always have the time or occupational health expertise needed to assess a person’s ability to work long term. As a result, new approaches are being explored, including workplace support schemes and return-to-work plans developed jointly by employers and health professionals.

NHS England has temporarily halted new prescriptions of cross-sex hormones for 16 and 17-year-olds experiencing gender dysphoria while it reviews the evidence surrounding the treatment. The decision follows concerns raised in recent research suggesting that existing studies on the benefits and risks of the medication for young people are limited and inconclusive.

Cross-sex hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, are used to help individuals develop physical traits that align more closely with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. These treatments can cause long-term or irreversible physical changes, including voice deepening or breast development. Under the updated position, teenagers who are already receiving the medication will continue their treatment, although clinicians have been asked to reassess their care plans.

The pause comes after an extensive review commissioned by NHS England examined available research on the impact of these hormones on young people’s wellbeing, including mental health and quality of life. The findings suggested that the current evidence base is not strong enough to determine whether the treatment is clearly beneficial or potentially harmful for patients under the age of 18. As a result, the health service will consult with medical professionals, advocacy organisations and the public before deciding on long-term guidance.

Reactions to the move have been mixed. Some advocacy groups have criticised the decision and suggested legal action may be considered, while others have welcomed a cautious approach, arguing that further research is necessary before prescribing treatments with potentially permanent effects to young people.

Schools across England will soon be required to introduce mandatory allergy awareness training for all staff under new statutory guidance announced by the Department for Education. The updated measures also require schools to keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors on site so that children experiencing severe allergic reactions can be treated quickly, even if they have not previously been diagnosed with an allergy.

The new guidance forms part of wider efforts to improve safety for children with allergies and to create consistent standards across the education system. Allergy-related illnesses and medical appointments are believed to cause significant disruption to learning each year, with hundreds of thousands of school days lost. Officials hope the new approach will both protect pupils and help reduce unnecessary absences from school.

Under the proposed rules, schools will need to ensure staff understand how to recognise the signs of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and how to respond appropriately in an emergency. The Department for Education says many schools already follow similar practices but making them compulsory will ensure every school meets the same safety expectations.

While the plans have been broadly welcomed, school leaders have warned that implementing the requirements will involve additional costs for training, equipment and staff time. Education leaders say the measures are important for pupil safety but have emphasised that adequate funding will be needed to support schools in putting the guidance into practice before it comes into effect in September.

GP practices in England will be obliged to provide same-day appointments for patients with urgent medical concerns under revised contract rules. Ministers say the measure is intended to ensure anyone needing prompt attention can be seen without delay. To support the change, funding for GP services is being increased by nearly £500 million, with the aim of boosting recruitment and easing pressure on surgeries.

Practices already reserve slots for urgent cases, but they will now be expected to formally monitor access and meet the target in the vast majority of cases. Urgent cases include situations where symptoms indicate treatment should begin immediately or where a patient’s condition could worsen quickly, such as a child with a high temperature and rash or an elderly person who becomes suddenly confused.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the move as part of efforts to improve access to primary care, adding that struggling practices would receive support rather than punishment. The reforms follow previous changes, including mandatory online booking systems for routine appointments and financial incentives linked to prescribing certain treatments.

However, the British Medical Association has warned the pledge could raise expectations beyond what overstretched services can realistically deliver. Although GP numbers have risen, workloads remain significantly higher than in previous years, and patient satisfaction surveys suggest many people feel access has not improved.

A baby boy has made history as the first child in the UK to be born following a womb transplant from a deceased donor. Grace Bell, in her 30s and from Kent, gave birth to her son Hugo just before Christmas 2025 at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London. Born without a functioning womb due to MRKH syndrome, Grace had been told as a teenager that she would never carry her own child.

The transplant took place in June 2024 at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford during a ten-hour operation. Months later, Grace underwent IVF treatment in London before becoming pregnant. She has described her son’s arrival as “a miracle”, saying she thinks daily of the donor and her family, whose generosity made Hugo’s birth possible.

The procedure forms part of a UK clinical trial exploring womb transplantation as a potential treatment for women without a viable uterus. Although more than 100 such transplants have been carried out worldwide, resulting in over 70 births, this marks a significant milestone for Britain. Surgeons involved have called it a breakthrough moment for reproductive medicine.

After completing her family, Grace’s transplanted womb will be removed to avoid long-term use of anti-rejection medication. The donor’s family, who also agreed to donate several other organs, said they feel immense pride in the life-changing legacy their daughter has left behind.

Health officials have confirmed a further rise in measles infections in north London, with new cases reported in both Enfield and Haringey. Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 16 additional cases were recorded in Enfield over the past week, while neighbouring Haringey saw 10 more.

The latest figures take London’s total to 88 measles cases since the start of the year. Most infections have been identified in children under the age of 10. Earlier this week, parents in affected areas were warned that pupils who are not fully vaccinated could be kept off school if they have been exposed to someone with the virus.

Vaccination rates in the capital remain well below the national average. Across England, measles vaccine coverage in 2024 to 2025 stood at 83.7%, but London’s rate was 69.6%. In Enfield, only 64.3% of children were vaccinated. A GP involved with the NHS London Vaccination Programme said online misinformation and a sense of complacency were both discouraging uptake, despite measles carrying the risk of serious complications.

Local authorities say they are stepping up efforts to contain the outbreak, including outreach in communities and places of worship. Haringey Council said it is working with the NHS, UKHSA and neighbouring councils to limit transmission and encourage residents to attend catch-up clinics. The rise comes as the government launches a broader push to improve vaccination rates, after the UK lost its measles elimination status following a sharp increase in cases in recent years.

US scientists say they have developed an experimental nasal spray that could offer broad protection against a wide range of respiratory illnesses – including coughs, colds, flu and even some bacterial lung infections. The early-stage work, led by Stanford University, has so far only been tested in animals, with human trials still needed.

Unlike traditional vaccines, which train the body to recognise one specific virus or bacterium, this approach works in a completely different way. Rather than targeting a single pathogen, the spray appears to keep key immune cells in the lungs on standby, ready to react quickly to whatever tries to enter.

In animal experiments, the researchers found the effect lasted for roughly three months. During that time, viruses were reduced by between 100 and 1,000 times in the lungs. The team also reported protection against two bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. They even saw signs the immune response to house dust mite allergens was dampened, which could be relevant for allergic asthma.

Experts have described the findings as promising but warned there are major unknowns. It is unclear whether the same results will translate to people, how long any protection might last, and whether keeping the immune system “on alert” could trigger unwanted inflammation. The researchers believe the spray could complement existing vaccines, particularly during winter or the early stages of a new pandemic.

Relying on artificial intelligence chatbots for medical guidance could put patients at risk, according to new academic research. The study suggests that while such systems can generate convincing answers, they frequently deliver advice that is inaccurate, inconsistent or potentially unsafe when applied to real-life health concerns.

The investigation was carried out by experts from the Oxford Internet Institute and the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers examined how people used large language model (LLM) tools when presented with a range of medical scenarios. Nearly 1,300 participants were asked to identify possible conditions and decide on an appropriate course of action. Some consulted AI chatbots, while others relied on more traditional routes, including speaking to a GP.

The findings revealed that chatbot responses often blended correct and incorrect information, leaving users unable to reliably tell the difference. Although these systems perform strongly in formal medical knowledge tests, the researchers warned that real-world use is far more complex. In particular, the tools sometimes failed to recognise when symptoms required urgent attention.

Dr Rebecca Payne, a GP and co-author of the study, said the technology was not yet capable of replacing a trained clinician. Lead author Andrew Bean added that human interaction remains a significant hurdle for advanced AI systems, and called for further work to ensure they are safe and genuinely helpful in healthcare settings.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged holidaymakers to take extra care when travelling to Cape Verde after a rise in gastrointestinal infections linked to visits to the islands. The alert comes ahead of the February half-term, when more Britons are expected to head to the popular winter sun destination.

Since 1 October, UKHSA has recorded 118 cases of shigella and 43 cases of salmonella associated with travel to the West African archipelago. While most people recover within a week, four British nationals have died in the months after becoming unwell following trips to Cape Verde. Shigella and salmonella can cause diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps, with higher risks for young children, older people, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.

Both infections are spread through contact with contaminated faeces, either directly or via food, water or surfaces. UKHSA advises travellers to eat freshly cooked food served hot, drink bottled or boiled water, avoid ice, use safe water when brushing teeth, peel fruit themselves and steer clear of salads washed in uncertain water. Officials also stressed the importance of regular handwashing.

Most shigella cases involved visitors to Santa Maria on Sal and Boa Vista. Cape Verde’s government said there is no declared outbreak and no formal notification from the UK. Experts noted buffet catering can increase transmission. Tui is facing legal claims from families of six Britons who died after visiting since January 2023, and says it is investigating.