Category: NHS

NHS providing training to spot early signs of eating disorders

New guidance for professionals working with children

The NHS has launched new national guidance and training to help teachers, GPs, and school nurses identify early signs of eating disorders in children and young people. This follows a significant rise in demand for specialist eating disorder services, with cases increasing from 8,034 in 2019/20 to 11,174 in 2024/25.

A key change in the guidance is a move away from relying on BMI thresholds, which NHS England now considers outdated and potentially unsafe. Instead, professionals are advised to look at behaviour changes, eating patterns, rapid weight loss, psychological distress, and family concerns to support early intervention. [nationalhe…cutive.com]

The new online training, developed with the charity Beat and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, will help staff outside specialist services recognise warning signs and understand referral routes. Every area in England now has access to specialist children’s eating disorder services, and the average treatment wait time is around three weeks from referral.

NHS England » NHS staff to train teachers, school nurses, and GPs to spot eating disorders

Making Every Contact Count

The most recent Make Every Contact count public heath bulletin looking at latest evidence around smoking cessation, alcohol, healthy weight, healthy eating and physical exercise is now available. The bulletin is produced by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT Library staff. If you cannot access any of the articles included in the bulletin please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation Jan 2026Download

Alcohol

Alcohol Jan 2026Download

Healthy Weight

Healthy Weight Jan 2026Download

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating Jan 2026Download

Physical Activity


Physical Activity Jan 2026Download

Supporting partnership working in local communities

Strong partnership working is essential for improving health and wellbeing, especially when challenges are complex and cross organisational boundaries.

A new 2025 report from The Kings Fund shares learning from the Healthy Communities Together programme. Drawing on real experience of setting up and running the programme, the report offers practical insight into what helps partnerships work well at a local level.

Key themes include the importance of trust, shared purpose and clear relationships, as well as the time and support needed to build partnerships that feel meaningful rather than transactional. The learning is particularly relevant for those working across health, local government, voluntary sector and community organisations, where collaboration is central to tackling health inequalities.

This report provides useful guidance for anyone involved in developing or supporting partnership working and offers realistic reflections on both the opportunities and the challenges involved.

The full report is freely available online: How To Support Partnership Working | The King’s Fund

Securing the NHS Workforce for the Future

The King’s Fund has published a detailed set of recommendations to help secure the future NHS workforce. The work recognises that people are the NHS’s greatest resource and that real progress depends on strong plans, good leadership and meaningful engagement with staff.

The report highlights key areas such as improving staff health and wellbeing, fostering compassionate leadership, and giving staff a voice in decision making. It also calls for workforce planning that is realistic about training times, shifts in where care is delivered, and the skills needed for new technologies.

For anyone interested in how the NHS can build a skilled and resilient workforce that delivers better care, this long read offers practical insights and thoughtful proposals.

Read the full piece from the King’s Fund here: Securing The NHS Workforce For The Future: Our Recommendations For Action | The King’s Fund

Supporting the research workforce across the NHS

A new briefing from NHS Providers brings together practical examples of how trusts are strengthening and supporting their research workforce. The resource highlights real world approaches that organisations have used to build research into everyday workforce planning, create opportunities for staff, and embed a culture of enquiry and innovation.

For teams interested in growing their research activity, the briefing offers clear and replicable ideas that can help services develop staff skills, improve evidence based practice, and support better outcomes for patients and communities.

Read more: Schemes for supporting the research workforce

Exploring the future of AI in NHS system leadership

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board is looking ahead at how artificial intelligence could support better decision making across health services.

In a recent article, Shaukat Ali Khan, executive chief digital and information officer at the board, shared a vision for using AI at a strategic level. The focus is not on replacing people, but on using technology to help leaders understand demand, plan services more effectively, and improve outcomes for communities.

As AI continues to develop across the NHS, conversations like this help shape how technology can be used safely, ethically, and in ways that place people and patient care first.

Read more: A future vision for AI in system leadership at NHS West Yorkshire ICB | UKAuthority

Supporting ADHD Services Across the NHS

NHS England has released new guidance on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation. The advisory note outlines key factors for systems to consider when managing increasing demand for ADHD assessment and support.

With referrals and waiting lists continuing to rise, the document encourages a balanced approach that prioritises those most in need, promotes consistent pathways and supports staff to deliver safe, effective and timely care.

The guidance also recognises the importance of joined up working across primary care, mental health and education settings to provide holistic support for individuals and families.

You can read the full advisory note on the NHS England website: NHS England » ADHD service delivery and prioritisation – advice to systems