The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced plans to give more powers to pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists and dental therapists to supply and administer certain types of medicines. This plan follows two public consultations published by the government which found widespread confidence in giving new powers to staff to achieve more efficient patient care. The plan aims to free up pharmacists’ and dentists’ time by allowing them to focus on delivering more patient-facing clinical services and improving access to primary care services for patients overall.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has reached its second reading in Parliament today. The Bill could lead to a smokefree generation if passed and bans the sale of all tobacco products across the UK to anyone born after 1 January 2009, preventing those turning 15 this year or younger from purchasing tobacco products. Additionally, the Bill will provides the government with powers to tackle youth vaping by limiting flavours and regulating the way vapes are sold to make them less appealing to children. In a letter to the Guardian, Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, indicated that the legislation could have a substantial effect on smoking-related diseases. Sir Chris Whitty said that ‘these major diseases do not usually come on before late middle age, so the effects of a smoke-free generation will not be felt for more than three decades' but that 'some benefits will be immediate, like reducing asthma attacks in children exposed to secondhand smoke.'

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has reported on the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill that has been laid before the UK Parliament. This Bill aims to shield future generations from the effects of smoking, which is a leading cause of preventable diseases and claims around 80,000 lives in the UK annually. The Welsh Government has welcomed the possible passing of the new Bill as it has already taken initiative in limiting smoking in certain outdoor public areas. Trading Standards Wales and other agencies will have the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for illegal sales of tobacco, vapes and other nicotine products. The Bill builds on existing restrictions which means that it will further limit smoking in outdoor public areas such as hospital grounds, school grounds and public playgrounds.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its response to the Health and Social Care Committee’s report, The First 1,000 Days, setting out its position on recommendations relating to vaccination strategy, workforce capacity and early years support. The response rejects the Committee’s recommendation to develop a new national vaccinations strategy and to reinstate a 95% coverage target, but confirms measures including requiring Integrated Care Boards to appoint a named vaccination lead and supporting pilot schemes for health visitors to deliver vaccines. It also declines to commit to specific recruitment targets for health visitors, stating that workforce plans will be addressed in the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan, while confirming plans to expand Family Hubs and invest £109 million in perinatal mental health support.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a response to the House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee's report titled 'Preterm birth: reducing risks and improving lives'. The response acknowledges the significance of preterm birth as the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in the UK, with England reporting an 8.1% preterm birth rate in 2023. The government recognises the disparities in outcomes, particularly affecting Black and Asian women and those in deprived areas. The document outlines the government's stance on the committee's recommendations and delineates planned improvements to enhance care quality for all affected families. This response applies to England and Wales and aims to address the complex factors contributing to preterm births while seeking to reduce their incidence and associated costs across various sectors.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has responded to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact's (ICAI) July 2024 review of its aid-funded global health research and innovation. The DHSC accepted the ICAI's recommendations and acknowledged the need for a more strategic approach to global health research and innovation. The DHSC also committed to developing a new global health research and innovation strategy, which aligns with the UK's international development strategy and the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. The strategy will prioritise research areas, enhance partnerships, and ensure better coordination across government departments and with other funders.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published its response on 10 March 2025 to recommendations made by the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence as a medical device. The response, issued through the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health, addresses the RHC's proposals for supporting safe and rapid development of AI medical devices in the UK healthcare system.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its response to the consultation on the fair pay agreement process for the adult social care (ASC) workforce in England, confirming the final shape of the process under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025). The DHSC plans to establish an independent ASC Negotiating Body with equal worker and employer representation to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, and wider employment matters. Negotiations are expected to begin in 2027 following a remit letter from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care setting out the maximum funding available and other priorities. The first negotiation cycle will begin in 2027, with the first fair pay agreement expected to take effect in April 2028.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have published revised intellectual property (IP) guidance for the NHS to streamline processes and encourage innovation. The updated guidance replaces the 2002 framework and sets out clearer provisions on IP management, ownership, and collaboration between the NHS, industry, and academia. It places greater emphasis on the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to accelerate the development and adoption of new treatments.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published a comprehensive review of patient safety oversight, examining six key organisations including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). The review recommends transferring the Patient Safety Commissioner to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, consolidating patient voice functions and revamping the National Quality Board's role. It found overlapping responsibilities between organisations and proposes streamlining investigation and complaint processes. The recommendations aim to clarify accountability and improve coordination between healthcare safety bodies.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced the nationwide distribution of Jess’s Rule posters to all 6,170 GP practices in England from January 2026. The posters support a patient safety initiative that requires GPs to take a 'fresh eyes' approach when a patient has attended three times without a substantiated diagnosis or when symptoms have worsened, to reduce missed or delayed diagnoses of serious illness. Jess’s Rule was launched in September 2025 and is named in memory of Jessica Brady, who died from advanced cancer after repeated GP consultations without diagnosis. The initiative is intended to prompt clinicians to review assumptions, re-examine patient records and consider further examination, testing or referral at an earlier stage. The posters were co-designed by the Department, NHS England and Jessica Brady’s parents and are supported by a joint letter from the Health Secretary and NHS England’s National Medical Director. The rollout forms part of the government’s wider patient safety and primary care improvement programme and aligns with commitments in the 10 Year Health Plan to support GPs, improve access and reduce diagnostic delays, particularly for younger patients and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published guidance which sets out the core standards that commissioners and providers of NHS healthcare should meet in their work to protect people who are vulnerable and/or susceptible to radicalisation. The guidance supplements the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales' and it will assist in contracting in line with NHS standard contract. It is intended for use by NHS organisations, commissioners of NHS services, organisations working on behalf of the NHS and organisations providing services for the NHS or NHS patients.