Despite many people rarely visiting parks or the countryside, the NHS is now turning to the natural world to support mental health treatment. In Sussex, healthcare professionals are taking part in a specially designed training programme that equips them to use green spaces in their day-to-day work with patients.

Backed by Natural England and delivered by community interest company Circle of Life Rediscovery, the five-month course provides hands-on experience and an accredited qualification. It’s aimed at a wide range of professionals — from therapists and social workers to psychiatrists and youth workers — and teaches how to adapt therapy practices to outdoor environments, drawing on growing evidence that time in nature can lower stress and improve physical health.

Since its launch in 2023, 36 NHS staff in Sussex have completed the training, reporting benefits not only for patients but for themselves too. Participants say they feel more relaxed and energised when working outdoors and are now applying nature-based approaches in their professional settings with the support of colleagues.

With a new round of training already underway and further sessions scheduled for 2026, this initiative is part of a broader push to understand how nature can influence health and wellbeing. A large-scale study involving 18,000 adults will track the long-term impacts of outdoor exposure on physical and mental health across the UK.

A major new study has found that emergency vaccination efforts carried out in response to outbreaks of five deadly diseases have reduced deaths by nearly 60% over the past 23 years. Covering 210 outbreaks across 49 countries between 2000 and 2023, the research highlights the impact of rapid vaccine deployment against Ebola, measles, cholera, yellow fever and meningitis.

The findings suggest that these targeted vaccination programmes didn’t just save lives but also prevented a similar number of infections, effectively curbing the scale of potential epidemics. By halting the spread early, the interventions appear to have played a key role in averting much larger public health emergencies.

In addition to the human impact, the economic benefits have been considerable. The estimated savings from avoided deaths and long-term disability equate to roughly $32 billion. However, researchers believe the true value could be far higher, as this figure doesn’t reflect the cost of managing widespread outbreaks or the economic disruption they would likely cause.

The study was supported by Gavi, the vaccine alliance, which helped coordinate many of the emergency responses. Its CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar, stressed the findings prove how vital swift vaccine roll-outs are in tackling global health threats - and why ongoing investment in vaccine initiatives remains essential.

A new malaria treatment designed specifically for newborns and very young children has received regulatory approval, marking a significant step forward in protecting the most vulnerable. The drug, created by Novartis and known as Coartem Baby (or Riamet Baby in some regions), is the first of its kind tailored for infants weighing under 4.5kg—an age group previously overlooked in malaria care.

Historically, babies have been treated with scaled-down versions of medications intended for older children, increasing the risk of incorrect dosing and adverse effects due to underdeveloped liver function. Experts have long warned of a dangerous “treatment gap” for these young patients, who are at high risk. In 2023, malaria claimed around 597,000 lives - most of them in Africa and over 75% in children under five.

The drug, approved by Swiss regulators, is expected to be introduced across African nations within weeks, following successful trials involving eight countries. Novartis says it will distribute the medicine primarily on a not-for-profit basis to ensure accessibility.

Health leaders and researchers have hailed the development as a game-changer. Dr Marvelle Brown of the University of Hertfordshire emphasised that this breakthrough could drastically reduce malaria-related deaths among babies - especially those with sickle cell disease - while promoting more equitable access to life-saving care.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has revealed a wide-ranging 10-year strategy aimed at transforming healthcare in England, shifting emphasis from hospitals to community-based services. The plan includes the creation of around 50 neighbourhood health centres within the current parliament, with a long-term goal of 300 by 2035. These hubs, staffed by a mix of medical professionals, are designed to offer accessible, localised treatment and reduce hospital overload.

A major digital push will see the NHS app upgraded, allowing patients to access their complete medical records, book appointments, and manage prescriptions. Starmer described it as having a “24/7 doctor in your pocket”. However, concerns remain about accessibility for those without smartphones, particularly older individuals.

Preventative health is another key focus, with proposals to tackle obesity through reward-based schemes modelled on a Singaporean initiative. Participants could earn digital NHS points for healthy choices, which may be redeemed in shops and restaurants. There are also plans to expand access to weight loss services and introduce clearer alcohol labelling.

Mental health and dentistry also feature, with dedicated emergency departments for psychiatric care and reforms aimed at tackling the shortage of NHS dentists. However, critics note the plan lacks a direct strategy for the struggling social care sector, which many believe is essential to fully restoring the NHS.

The government has announced plans to scrap over 200 organisations involved in managing and monitoring the NHS in England, as part of efforts to simplify the health system. Among those set to close are Healthwatch England, which champions patient rights, and the National Guardian’s Office, which supports whistleblowing within health services. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the current structure as overly complicated, saying it’s time for “more action, less oversight”.

This overhaul forms part of Labour’s upcoming 10-year vision for healthcare. The move will see bodies created under previous governments, including local health planning groups, dissolved. The government argues that the sheer number of agencies has resulted in conflicting guidance that burdens staff and slows down progress. Ministers say greater focus will be placed on patient feedback through the NHS app in future.

The changes have prompted mixed reactions. While some, including NHS Confederation chief Matthew Taylor, welcomed the chance to cut duplication and invest more in frontline care, there are concerns that vital protections could be lost. Healthwatch England’s chief executive expressed sadness but pledged to ensure patients’ voices remain heard during the transition.

A pilot scheme is also planned linking hospital funding to patient ratings, with poor feedback potentially diverting funds into improvement initiatives. Leaders warn such measures must be carefully designed to avoid unfairly penalising hospitals for issues beyond their control.

Young children across Kent are taking part in a new scheme teaching them how to stay safe in the sun, with the aim of lowering rates of skin cancer in future generations. The pilot project, set to roll out nationally in PSHE lessons from 2026, encourages children as young as five to check UV levels and apply sunscreen correctly. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is strongly linked to UV rays. Experts warn that sunburn in early life greatly increases the chance of developing the disease later on.

Figures from Cancer Research UK show that 18,300 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2021, with numbers expected to rise to over 21,000 by 2026. Michelle Baker from the Melanoma Fund, the charity leading the initiative, said teaching children sun-safe habits early on could help reduce these cases. “We want to empower children to protect themselves — it’s their superpower,” she explained.

At Platt Primary School in Maidstone, pupils are learning about UV indexes, sunscreen application, and the importance of sun protection. Headteacher Emma Smith said the children have responded enthusiastically, adding that early education helps them resist unhealthy influences as they grow.

Experts stress there is no such thing as a safe tan, as tanning indicates skin damage. To stay protected, children should stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, wear hats and cover up, and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and good UVA protection.