Government delivers 2m NHS appointments but ‘more to do’
Video Credit: ODN - Duration: 00:36s - Published
Government delivers 2m NHS appointments but ‘more to do’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the government has delivered on its manifesto promise of two million extra NHS appointments but adds “there is a hell of a lot more to do” to bring down waiting times and deal with a “wide range of pressures in the NHS”.
NHS England figures show that between July and November 2024 there were almost 2.2 million more appointments compared with the equivalent period in 2023.
Trials are underway to see if "comedy on prescription" can help improve people's mental health and reduce NHS costs by being an alternative to antidepressants. Sky News
Hundreds of children with a rare and severe form of epilepsy are hoping a new drug being rolled out on the NHS may provide a better quality of life. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer says he is “really pleased” the government has delivered on its manifesto promise of two million extra NHS appointments but adds there is “lots, lots more to do”. NHS England figures show that between July and November 2024 there were almost 2.2 million more appointments compared with the equivalent period in 2023. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Wes Streeting says “Ukraine’s front line is Britain’s front line” as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepares to travel to Paris for an emergency summit on Ukraine. The health secretary adds: “It’s really important Nato acts together; it’s really important we’re prepared to take the steps needed to secure our national security.” Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The war in Ukraine is "the frontline for all of us" in Europe, a minister has said after Sir Keir Starmer said he is prepared to put British troops on the.. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer and his health secretary Wes Streeting have spoken to healthcare staff at Epsom Hospital in Surrey ahead of the prime minister's speech on NHS reform. Starmer has set out plans to cut waiting lists by embracing artificial intelligence, upgrading the NHS app and making diagnostic centres more accessible for patients. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The shadow health secretary has urged Wes Streeting to speed up the process for social care reforms. Mr Streeting came under fire when he revealed the final report from the social care review would not take place until 2028. "I would encourage the Secretary of State Wes Streeting to be more ambitious, braver and to speed up that process and get those cross-party discussions going as swiftly as possible," Mr Argar said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The government has today launched an eight-week consultation on a major reform of Britain’s railways. These measures include the creation of Great British Railways, a public sector body which will manage rail infrastructure and train operations. They will also be able to report instances of poor performance to a regulator for enforcement action. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer reiterates that he is “prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground” in Ukraine “if there is a lasting peace agreement”. The prime minister adds: “There must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again”. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Geraint Thomas has announced he will retire from cycling at the end of the season. The 38-year-old is a former Olympic champion and became the first Welshman to win the Tour de France in 2018. Thomas says he would love to help his Ineos Grenadier teammates and “go for a stage myself” at this summer’s Tour. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Second World War veterans and civilians have gathered outside the Royal Albert Hall in London to mark 80 days until the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Those in attendance were treated to live music and a replica Spitfire. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nour Norris, the aunt of Raneem Oudeh who was killed by her ex-husband, has welcomed the 'Raneem's law' scheme which will see specialists embedded in 999 control rooms across some police forces as “it will play a huge, big role in supporting first call victims”.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips says 'Raneem's law' scheme will “sort the systems we have now that are currently failing” as the initial phase is rolled out. The new law is named in memory of Raneem Oudeh who was killed by her ex-husband that she had reported to the police at least seven times.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A friend of Jaysley Beck has said sexual abuse in the Army is still going on years after the former Royal Artillery gunner's death. The body of the 19-year-old was found in a locker room at Wiltshire's Larkhill Camp in 2021. She had been subjected to relentless harassment from her line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, an inquest was told. Beck had also filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber who "pinned her down" and tried to kiss her at a work social. Former soldier Tamzin Hort compared being a woman in the Army to being "a piece of meat in a tank of sharks" and that "people get sexually assaulted left, right and centre, but nothing's done about it". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Jaysley Beck's mother has accused the British Army of covering up the sexual assault her late daughter suffered in 2021. The body of Leighann McCready's 19-year-old daughter was found in a locker room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire. She had been subjected to relentless harassment from her line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, an inquest was told. Beck had also filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber who "pinned her down" and tried to kiss her at a work social. An inquest has found the Army's handling of the complaint played "more than a minimal contributory part in her death". McCready said, "it's been made clear through the findings that the Army have failed our daughter". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rachel Reeves says she is "absolutely committed" to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence and will "set out a pathway" to do so "in the proper way". The chancellor adds, "a strong economy depends on strong defences". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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