New & Updated Issues:
Improvements are happening:
The NHS performed a record number of checks for treatments, cancer checks and other tests in June, as 18-week performance hit its best level in 3 years. NHS staff treated a record number of patients in any June, with 103,563 (2% more) treatments delivered than the same month last year (1.56 million vs 1.45 million). The proportion of patients waiting less than 18 weeks for treatment in June was 61.5%, the highest since June 2022. The longest waits of over 52 and 65 weeks also fell. This progress came despite 141,809 more referrals onto the waits list (up 3.2%) than the year before (1.83 million vs 1.69 million); meaning the waiting list rose slightly by 9,712, to 7.37 million. That is an estimated 6.23 million patients waiting for care. It was also a record June for the number of diagnostic tests and checks delivered (2.5 million).
NHS strike impact data: Separate data showing the impact of last month’s industrial action by resident doctors has also been published, following the more robust approach by NHS leaders with staff working around the clock to keep services open for patients. More care was delivered during the July 2025 resident doctors’ strike than in the 5-day June 2024 walkout, with NHS analysis estimating that an additional 11,071 appointments and procedures went ahead. Staff absence due to industrial action was lower, with around 1,243 fewer staff absent each day on average compared to last June (a 7.5% drop) helping trusts maintain more services and protect patient care. The Secretary of State and the BMA are continuing engagement throughout the summer with the aim of preventing further disruption to the NHS and patients.
For cancer, the NHS hit the Faster Diagnosis Standard with 76.8% (218,463 people) having cancer ruled out or diagnosed within 28 days, the highest June since the standard was introduced. Over 53,000 patients also started treatment for cancer within 31 days. The NHS continued to make improvements in urgent and emergency care. Despite the busiest July on record for A&E, with 2.4 million attendances, the highest proportion of patients were seen within 4 hours (76.4%) in almost 4 years (since 77% in Aug 2021). The number of patients waiting more than 4 hours to be admitted (115,542) was the lowest since July 2023. Ambulance performance continued to improve, with an average Category 2 response time of 28:40, well within the NHS’s interim target for 2025/26 of 30 minutes. This was despite high demand, with staff answering 843,535 calls to 999.
BBC Says: Baby food manufacturers must cut levels of salt and sugar in their products and stop promoting snacks for babies under the age of one, the government has said.
Firms that do not make their products healthier within 18 months may face action.
The Food Standards Agency has launched a new campaign to warn parents and caregivers not to give children under 7 slush ice drinks or ‘slushies’ containing glycerol. FSA also advises that children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than one 350ml ‘slushie’ drink with glycerol per day – roughly the size of a fizzy drink can. At very high levels of exposure, typically when several servings of these products are consumed by a child in a short space of time, glycerol can cause shock, very low blood sugar levels and loss of consciousness. The FSA is encouraging parents to ask sellers whether drinks contain glycerol, and review product labels or signage at point of sale. The FSA advises consumers to avoid products if they’re unsure about ingredients and seek medical advice if a child develops symptoms.
UKHSA general travel health messaging for visiting friends and relatives abroad:
• Even if you’ve visited a country before, it’s important to know what disease outbreaks
there might be in the area you are travelling to. Check: http://travelhealthpro.org.uk
• Visiting friends and family? You may know the place but health risks can still catch
you off guard. Take steps to stay protected.
• Before you travel abroad to visit family, check you’re protected – vaccines, malaria
prevention and mosquito bite prevention saves lives
• Protect your health so you don’t miss what matters most – time with family, friends, or
your work when you get back. A quick travel health check before you go can help you
stay well and return ready.
• Travelling to see family? Vaccines, insect repellents and handwashing can protect
you and your loved ones.
• Think you’ve had it before? Immunity fades. Boost your protection before you travel.
• Book your travel health appointment early so vaccines have time to work.
• Feeling unwell after travel? Speak to your GP or call NHS 111, especially if you have
fever, rash or ongoing diarrhoea.
100 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) across the country now offer out-of-hours services, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, evenings and at weekends. This means tens of thousands of patients can access vital tests, scans and checks around busy working lives. They deliver more convenient care out of hours as part of government’s Plan for Change, transforming healthcare and making the NHS fit for the future. With the government already delivering 7.2 million CDC tests and scans since July 2024, patients no longer have to choose between their job and vital health appointments as more centres open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Based in convenient settings closer to people’s homes like shopping centres, community hospitals and university campuses, many of these centres also offer free parking to make care as easy as possible.
Latest NHS England data shows that the NHS delivered over 1.6 million more tests and scans from July 2024 to June 2025 compared to the same time the previous year. For cancer, the NHS hit the Faster Diagnosis Standard with 76.8% (218,463 people) having cancer ruled out or diagnosed within 28 days, the highest June since the standard was introduced. Improved performance on the Faster Diagnosis Standard means that 97,000 more people have had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days between July 2024 and June 2025, compared to the same period last year.
In Mid & South Essex, Braintree CDC is set to open early 2026, Southend will open in mid-2025, Thurrock is due to open this summer, with Pitsea due to open late 2026. Clacton CDC is already working.
Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed to lead the national maternity and neonatal investigation. The review will identify ways to improve care and safety urgently. Bereaved and harmed families will be central to the investigation, including working with the Chair to shape her team of expert advisers and the terms of reference. The investigation will look at up to 10 services in the country, thought to include the Mid & South Essex hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon and Southend. It will also review the maternity and neonatal system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate care. It will begin its work this summer and produce an initial set of national recommendations by December 2025. The investigation is separate from the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which will be made up of a panel of esteemed experts and families, and chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to keep up momentum and deliver change.
Important reminders:
- Hundreds of thousands of newly pregnant women can now self-refer online to get their “all-important” first midwife appointments quicker, ensuring the best and most personalised care for their baby.
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns people about the signs and symptoms of botulism following adverse reactions after receiving cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin. The number of clinically confirmed cases of iatrogenic botulism reported between 4 June and 6 August 2025 is now 41. Clinicians are advised to look out for botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedure. This is to provide them with appropriate treatments, which can include giving anti-toxin.
Public advised: stop using certain non-sterile alcohol-free wipes. During investigation of an outbreak, certain wipes were found to be contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis. The following products have been found to be affected:
- ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
- Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
Testing also revealed contamination of Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, although the contamination was deemed to be with a Burkholderia strain not related to the outbreak cases. While the overall risk to the public remains very low, it is important these types of wipes are not used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin, and that they are not used to clean intravenous lines.
The latest monthly update on measles cases in England shows that an additional 145 measles cases have been reported since the last publication on July 3. Cases continue to be predominantly in children under the age of 10 years, with London and parts of the Northwest driving the increase most. Since 1 January there have been 674 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, an increase of 145 cases since the last report. 48% (322/674) of these cases have been in London, 16% (111/674) in the Northwest, 10% (65/674) in the East of England. Please remember the recent first UK death from measles for over a decade sent shockwaves around the country. The dangerous decline in MMR vaccination rates continues. Several seriously ill children were in Merseyside hospitals. A potential outbreak could “spread like wildfire”. Please get full vaccinations for measles and all other serious conditions as we’re seeing increases in many life-threatening illnesses because of reduced immunity.
Covid infections are starting to rise again. Most other infections are at the usual relative summer lows.
Government extends the National Breastfeeding Helpline to provide round-the-clock support for families. £18.5 million is invested this year in infant feeding support through Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme. Support forms part of the mission to give children the best start in life under the government’s Plan for Change
Almost 1,500 extra procedures a year will now be offered at Braintree Community Hospital, following the opening of a new £1.3m procedure room. This will free up main operating theatres for more complex surgeries such as knee and hip replacements and will help reduce waiting times and improve access to care for patients.
Treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) cost NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023 to 2024. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary system including the urethra, bladder or kidneys. Some things you can do to prevent UTIs include:
- Stay hydrated; drink enough fluids regularly
- Don’t hold it; avoid holding your pee and visit the toilet
- Prioritise personal hygiene; especially if you suffer from incontinence.
In June the performance of our three local acute hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon & Southend included:
- 75.4% (70.5% in May) of patients were seen within 4 hours in A&Es; that’s good;
- 22 minutes (25mins in May) was the average time for ambulances to hand over patients compared to 26 minutes (27 mins in May) in East of England and 37 minutes (38 mins in May) nationally; that’s good;
- 58.8% of patients (62.1% in May) received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days; this decline for the second month running is concerning; the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board discussed this at it’s most recent meeting in public and is giving this close attention.
More patients in mid and south Essex are reporting positive experiences and taking advantage of new ways to access their GP practice. The recently published national GP Patient Survey reveals that overall patient experience in mid and south Essex has improved compared to 2024, up to 72%. It also showed that around seven million appointments were delivered in mid and south Essex GP practices in 2024, 5% more than 2023. Another example of improvements made by the NHS, albeit the increase in demand is greater.
The Government says that:
- More than 2,000 extra GPs have now been hired across the country since last October after action to slash red tape.
- An independent survey shows progress on ending the 8am scramble, with patients finding it easier to contact GP practices.
- Plan for Change is shifting care out of hospital and into the community as government brings back the family doctor.
The Plan for Change brings back the family doctor. The average GP is responsible for 2,300 patients, and the new tranche could deliver over 4 million additional appointments per year.
New figures show general practice has delivered over 7 million more appointments in the past year compared to last year, taking the total to a record 380 million.
The 10 Year Health Plan for England sets out steps to make the NHS fit for the future. The three ‘shifts’ are: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from treatment to prevention. Delivering as much as possible locally is a reminder of the 2008 plan; let’s hope it’s delivered this time. We must remember that the oldest, frailest patients are more analogue users than digital users. Prevention is preferable to cure. Our full article about the Plan, the local implications from it, what the Government has said about it, and the King’s Fund’s analysis is at: https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/nhs-10-year-plan-july-2025.pdf . More Public Health news is on our website and in our weekly e-newsletters. SWF Library provides online services and helps with internet access. For welfare information and subscription to our newsletter, email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com , or leave voicemails on 01245 322079. https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 