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Department of Health and Social Care

Department of Health and Social Care

The Department of Health is responsible for government policy on health and adult social care matters in England. It oversees the National Health Service (NHS), public health, and social care services to improve health outcomes and ensure effective healthcare delivery.

Enquiries

Ministerial Correspondence & Public Enquiries Unit
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU

Communication Overview

Total releases

Number of press releases published by this department during the last 12 months, based on publicly available announcements.
164

Avg per month

Average number of press releases published per calendar month over the last 12 months. This smooths short-term fluctuations in publishing activity.
13.7

Avg word count

Average length of published press releases, measured in words. Calculated only for months where content was published.
1355

Avg readability

Average Flesch Reading Ease score across all published press releases. Higher values indicate plainer English. Scores are indicative only and vary by subject matter.
33.1

Friday PM releases

Percentage of press releases published after 3pm on Fridays, relative to the department’s total output during the period.
2.3%

Single-release items

Estimated proportion of announcements published once, without a closely related follow-up release during the same period. This is based on similarity of titles and timing.
99%
Metrics are descriptive only and indicate publication patterns rather than intent or impact.

Releases per month

Based on publicly published press releases (last 12 months)

4052 articles

Showing 1-30

Landmark junk food ad ban to protect kids' health

Landmark junk food ad ban to protect kids' health

Monday, 05 January 2026

Children will be protected from exposure to junk food ads under new regulations, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity....

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Families to have better access to childhood vaccinations

Families to have better access to childhood vaccinations

Thursday, 01 January 2026

A new £2 million pilot will see health visitors reach families facing barriers to vaccines, to ensure more children are protected....

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500 new ambulances deployed to boost NHS winter response

500 new ambulances deployed to boost NHS winter response

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Patients and staff across the country are benefiting from a new fleet of over 500 ambulances....

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New ambulances deployed to boost NHS winter response

New ambulances deployed to boost NHS winter response

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

More than 500 new ambulances will be deployed in England to cut response times for patients in every region....

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Lives to be saved by boosting access to drug overdose medication

Lives to be saved by boosting access to drug overdose medication

Monday, 29 December 2025

Government launches consultation to help combat rising drug deaths from opioids, as part of record £3.4 billion in investment in drug and alcohol serv...

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Government extends free NHS services for care leavers

Government extends free NHS services for care leavers

Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Major boost for children leaving care with free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services....

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Mental Health Bill receives Royal Assent, revolutionising care

Mental Health Bill receives Royal Assent, revolutionising care

Thursday, 18 December 2025

The Mental Health Bill has received Royal Assent to modernise outdated mental health laws and improve care for seriously ill patients....

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Abuse victims to get specialist NHS support

Abuse victims to get specialist NHS support

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

A new referral service will connect victims with help through their GP, and there's up to £50 million for therapeutic support for child victims of sex...

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Major boost for millions of NHS dental patients

Major boost for millions of NHS dental patients

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

New changes will enable patients to access urgent care easier....

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Advice accepted on spring 2026 COVID 19 vaccination programme

Advice accepted on spring 2026 COVID 19 vaccination programme

Monday, 15 December 2025

The government has accepted advice on eligibility from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccina...

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Innovative medicines supported as rebate rate falls by a third

Innovative medicines supported as rebate rate falls by a third

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Further support provided for innovative medicines as the rebate rate falls by more than third for 2026....

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Government to prioritise UK medical graduates for training places

Government to prioritise UK medical graduates for training places

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

The government will prioritise UK medical graduates for training places from 2026 as part of efforts to bring an end to industrial action by resident...

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Digital revolution in care saves millions of admin hours

Digital revolution in care saves millions of admin hours

Friday, 05 December 2025

Four in 5 care providers now use digital social care records, helping almost 90% of people who draw on care. ...

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Review launched into mental health, ADHD and autism services

Review launched into mental health, ADHD and autism services

Thursday, 04 December 2025

Government launches independent review to look at rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services and what is driving it....

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Chief Medical Officer's annual report 2025: infections 

Chief Medical Officer's annual report 2025: infections 

Thursday, 04 December 2025

The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, has released his annual report for 2025, on infectious diseases. ...

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Almost every GP now offers online access for patients

Almost every GP now offers online access for patients

Wednesday, 03 December 2025

GP online access has been rolled out at nearly all GP practices, benefiting patients across England....

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New adviser to reform NHS response to violence against women and girls

New adviser to reform NHS response to violence against women and girls

Tuesday, 02 December 2025

Jess Asato appointed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) adviser to reform NHS response as part of the government's mission to halve VAWG within a...

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Trailblazing scheme to reconnect thousands with HIV treatment

Trailblazing scheme to reconnect thousands with HIV treatment

Monday, 01 December 2025

The government has launched a scheme that will see thousands of people benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan. ...

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Working together to raise the healthiest generation ever

Working together to raise the healthiest generation ever

Friday, 28 November 2025

The Secretary of State addressed the Barnardo's Health Conference about children’s health. ...

Visionary leader appointed for Health Data Research Service

Visionary leader appointed for Health Data Research Service

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Patients to benefit from faster life-saving treatments as new leader appointed for health data service....

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Minister Stephen Kinnock's speech at the Hospice UK conference

Minister Stephen Kinnock's speech at the Hospice UK conference

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock spoke at the Hospice UK conference, launching the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Modern Service Frame...

Soft drinks levy extended to protect children and improve health

Soft drinks levy extended to protect children and improve health

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

The government has announced an extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to more high-sugar drinks, including milk-based drinks....

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Millions to benefit from new health and wellbeing quiz

Millions to benefit from new health and wellbeing quiz

Monday, 24 November 2025

Millions of Brits could boost their mood by spending 5 minutes taking a Healthy Choices Quiz launched by the government and the NHS....

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Government unveils England's first ever Men's Health Strategy

Government unveils England's first ever Men's Health Strategy

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

The government launches bold plan to tackle physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys, and reduce inequalities....

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Government fuels NHS innovation to unlock billions in growth

Government fuels NHS innovation to unlock billions in growth

Tuesday, 18 November 2025

The government updates NHS IP guidance for the first time in 23 years, cutting red tape so innovations reach patients faster and boost the UK's econom...

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Top NHS trusts given new powers to improve care

Top NHS trusts given new powers to improve care

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

High-performing NHS trusts will be given more independence to deliver faster, better and more personalised care....

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Secretary of State's address to the NHS Providers Conference

Secretary of State's address to the NHS Providers Conference

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, addressed the NHS Providers Conference in Manchester to talk about the next steps for re...

Billions to be redirected back into patient care with NHS reform

Billions to be redirected back into patient care with NHS reform

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Health Secretary announces plans to redirect billions of pounds from NHS reform back into patient care....

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Health boost for Britain's forces as new NHS programme launches

Health boost for Britain's forces as new NHS programme launches

Sunday, 09 November 2025

Government rolls out new training programme to help NHS staff across England give the armed forces community the personalised care they deserve....

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Patients to benefit from cutting edge NHS care from their homes

Patients to benefit from cutting edge NHS care from their homes

Thursday, 06 November 2025

More patients will receive faster, more convenient care from the comfort of their own homes, through the rollout of new digital technologies across th...

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