13 October 2026
NHS inform updates norovirus guidance
NHS inform has updated its norovirus guidance, covering symptoms, how the virus spreads, prevention at home and when to phone 111 or seek emergency care.
Health news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
October 2026
12 October 2026
LAS finalises most detailed winter planning to date amid early respiratory surge
London Ambulance Service has finalised its most detailed winter plan to date, including AI note-taking and more crews, after record September demand and an early rise in respiratory calls.
September 2026
11 September 2026
Unusually early start to flu season with increasing cases nationally
Surrey County Council says the flu season has started unusually early, with cases rising nationally, and describes vaccination for all eligible people as an important priority.
1 September 2026
LAS records busiest ever September with over 10,000 breathing problem patients
London Ambulance Service saw more than 10,000 patients for breathing problems in its busiest ever September, with demand for the sickest patients and 999 calls rising into October.
1 September 2026
COVID-19 positive test rates rise to around 7% with hospital admissions up about 50%
UKHSA data show COVID-19 positive test rates rose to around 7% in September, with hospital admission rates up by approximately 50% over the same period, across all four UK nations.
August 2026
31 August 2026
August bank holiday NHS service closures warned of
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB has warned that GP practices are closed and many pharmacies are shut or on reduced hours on bank holiday Monday 31 August, with NHS 111 and urgent care open.
27 August 2026
PHS updates on Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to imported eggs
Public Health Scotland says investigations with UK health and food safety agencies indicate a link between a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak and eggs imported to the UK from abroad.
17 August 2026
NHS national booking service opens for winter flu and COVID-19 vaccine bookings
The NHS national booking service opened on 17 August 2026 for eligible people in England to pre-book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, with flu jabs starting on 1 September and most other groups from 1…
11 August 2026
NHS issues wildfire smoke health advice to residents in affected areas
Central East ICB has published health advice for residents in areas affected by wildfire smoke, covering symptoms, higher risk groups and how to obtain repeat medication and medical help.
July 2026
27 July 2026
UKHSA issues Heat Health Alerts for parts of England
The UK Health Security Agency has issued Heat Health Alerts for parts of England from Tuesday to Thursday, with temperatures forecast to peak at 35°C in southeastern England on Wednesday.
14 July 2026
NHS publishes sepsis modern service framework aiming to prevent one in four sepsis deaths
NHS England has published a sepsis framework aiming to prevent thousands of deaths from the condition by 2035, including trials of wearable devices that monitor at-risk people's vital signs at home.
6 July 2026
Alerts escalated to amber for six regions from 8 July
The UK Health Security Agency has raised heat-health alerts to amber for six regions of England and issued yellow alerts for three others, running from 9am on Wednesday 8 July until 9pm on Sunday 12…
1 July 2026
UKHSA estimates 2,877 deaths in May and June heatwaves
The UK Health Security Agency estimated that 2,877 people died in the May and June heatwaves, almost double the figure recorded across the whole of summer 2025.
June 2026
19 June 2026
OPSS, UKHSA and HSE issue joint statement on asbestos in consumer products
OPSS, UKHSA and HSE have issued a joint statement on asbestos found in some sand-containing consumer products, several of which are being recalled, and on the health risk to the public.
17 June 2026
Yellow Heat-Health Alert issued for parts of England
The UK Health Security Agency issued a Yellow Heat-Health Alert for the East Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast of England from Wednesday 17 June until Monday, as temperatures were…
May 2026
21 May 2026
UKHSA issues amber heat-health alerts for five regions of England
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat-health alerts for five regions of England, with yellow alerts for southwestern and northern England, as the Met Office forecasts a hot Bank Holiday…
April 2026
7 April 2026
Resident doctor strikes begin in England for six days
Resident doctors in England begin six days of industrial action at 7am on 7 April 2026, with NHS England urging patients not to delay seeking care and to attend planned appointments unless told…
1 April 2026
NHS spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts
NHS England has opened its spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign, offering jabs at GP practices and community pharmacies to people aged 75 and over, older people in care homes and people who are…
March 2026
1 March 2026
Pandemic Preparedness Strategy published
The UK government has published a Pandemic Preparedness Strategy setting out how it will improve pandemic preparedness capabilities to 2030, following the largest national pandemic exercise ever held…
February 2026
19 February 2026
NHS reports highest norovirus hospital levels this winter amid fears of second surge
NHS England reports average daily hospital norovirus patients reached 1,012 this winter, up 8.9% in a week, with figures rising for a second consecutive week and fears of a second surge.