Health and care sector latest developments

NHS ‘reliant’ on private firms and charities for mental health care – think tank

The NHS has become 'reliant' on private companies, charities and social enterprises to deliver routine mental health care, the King’s Fund has warned.

New analysis by the King’s Fund found more than one in four NHS mental health inpatient beds is being outsourced.

While the independent sector provides vital surge capacity for the health service during periods of high demand, the think tank said the NHS has moved 'far beyond' this, exposing it to the risk of higher costs and longer stays in hospital for patients.

Rebecca Gray, NHS Confederation mental health director, said: "This new research highlights the scope of the independent sector in NHS-funded mental health care, who often support patients with the most complex mental health needs.

"With bed occupancy rates in NHS mental health trusts consistently over the safe limits recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, independent sector provision can provide much-needed capacity in some areas.”

Full comment here: NHS Confederation comments on King’s Fund research on NHS use of independent sector in mental health

Chickenpox vaccine to be offered on NHS next year, as part of routine MMR jab for babies

A vaccine against chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England for the first time next year.

Sky News reports the varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150.

But under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS childhood immunisation programme - joining the current range against measles, mumps, and rubella.

In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said GPs will be able to offer the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccination from January 2026.

Almost one in five children starting primary school are not fully protected against several serious diseases 

UKHSA and NHS England are today asking parents to check their child’s vaccine records and catch up on any missed vaccinations with their GP practice. The call comes as the new school term starts and new data shows that whilst most children are fully vaccinated by the time they start school, many are still left unvaccinated and vulnerable to catching serious illnesses.

The latest annual uptake data on childhood vaccines (April 2024-March 2025) published today by the UK Health Security Agency, shows 18.6 per cent of children, almost one in five, have not received their pre-school booster jab.

The data reports on children who turned five between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. In England over the last ten years, the coverage or uptake rates for the pre-school booster peaked at 86.3 per cent in 2015 to 2016. The latest data, at 81.4 per cent, is nearly 5 per cent lower than the peak. Outside of London, the coverage for England was 85.0 per cent.

Price of Mounjaro to be discounted in UK pharmacies

The company behind popular weight loss drug Mounjaro has offered a discounted deal to UK suppliers, which is expected to limit the price increase to consumers from September.

Earlier this month, Eli Lilly announced it was putting up the list price of the drug by as much as 170 per cent which could have meant the cost of the highest dose going up from £122 to £330 per month.

But the BBC understands the highest dose will now be sold to suppliers for £247.50.

Pharmacies and other private weight-loss services will add their own mark-up to consumers, but it means the price rise for patients is unlikely to be as large as initially feared.

Boards told to rate their own ‘capability’

Trust leaders have been told to rate their own boards’ 'capability' under new rules that could influence which providers are put in a new special measures regime.

Trusts must complete the provider capability self-assessment – which is part of the new NHS Oversight Framework – by 22 October, according to guidance published by NHS England this week.

HSJ understands the requirement is intended to help boards prepare for the governance standards required to achieve the 'new' foundation trust status promised in the 10 Year Health Plan, as well as feeding into NHS England’s day-to-day regulation.

The principles behind the new self-assessment were broadly welcomed by trust leaders, but NHS Providers said it was “concerned returns may not capture the actual quality of leadership seen across the trust sector”.

Older autistic people need more help after years of misdiagnosis, review finds

Researchers have called for better support for middle-aged and older autistic people after a review found that 90 per cent of autistic people aged over 50 in Britain are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Greater awareness of autism and improved assessments globally mean it is typically spotted in childhood today. But in past decades autistic people were often forced to navigate middle and old age without the support a diagnosis can unlock.

The review into ageing across the autism spectrum found that people in the UK faced widespread difficulties with employment, relationships and milestone events such as menopause and retirement. They consistently suffered from poorer mental and physical health.