The number of children and young people waiting more than a year for specialist help with mental-health problems has almost trebled, according to new figures. Of those starting treatment in the period April and June 2016, 147 had been on a waiting list for more than 12 months, up from…

A much-criticised health trust has admitted creating a new job for its former chief executive who resigned after saying her position had become untenable. Katrina Percy announced her decision to stand down from the top position with Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust last week, but added that she was "delighted…

Vacancy rates for NHS consultants, nursing and midwifery staff in across Scotland continue to increase, according to new figures. The number of nursing and midwifery posts lying vacant - given as a whole-time equivalent to account for part-time workers - has risen by 16% in the three months from March…

Last week the British Medical Association announced training medics would perform a series of strikes by withdrawing labour, including emergency care, for a week each month until the end of the year. The first wave of strikes was supposed to start next Monday. But concerns have been raised over patient…

More than 760 extra full-time staff are expected to be recruited to NHS Scotland in the coming year, according to new figures. Projections drawn up by health boards across the country show the workforce is expected to grow by 764.8 whole time equivalent staff in 2016/17, up 0.6%. Almost 100…

A hospital for mentally ill children has been slammed by health officials after inspectors observed a youngster harming themselves in front of a member of staff. Huntercombe Hospital in Stafford has been placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission after inspectors identified a number of serious failings. During…

Junior doctors are proposing to go on strike for a week every month for the rest of the year as the row over a new contract being imposed on them by the Government intensifies. Strikes took place between January and April after junior doctors failed to come to an agreement…

The outgoing boss of the heavily-criticised Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust is still to be employed by the organisation in a new role - pulling in the same pay and benefits of around £240,000 a year. Katrina Percy announced her decision to stand aside as chief executive but she is…

There could be a "glut" of hospital services shut down, a health expert has warned. The NHS is under huge financial strain at the same time as grappling with workforce challenges - which could lead to some local hospital services being shut, said Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers,…

A&E services at County Hospital in Stafford have been suspended for under-18s because "senior clinicians have advised that the service is not currently clinically safe". University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust brought the interim measure into place from 10am on Thursday, owing to a lack of "professionally trained and…

Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, has praised a rehabilitation project in Flintshire which helps people stay independent and saves the NHS money. Step-Up, Step-Down provides short stay beds to support people coming out of hospital who are medically fit, but not yet ready to go home,…

The risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have been underestimated, experts have said. Taking the treatment to combat the effects of the menopause could mean that women are 2.7 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who are not, a new study found. Women taking combined HRT…