Spotlight newsletter - 18 September 2026
People in Surrey and Sussex to get quicker treatment for five additional conditions at local pharmacies
People across Surrey and Sussex will soon be able to get treatment for five additional common health conditions directly from participating community pharmacies, without needing to see their GP first.
From this autumn, qualified pharmacist prescribers working in participating pharmacies will now be able to assess and provide treatment for acne, migraines, scabies, ear infections (otitis externa), seasonal allergic rhinitis and certain mild skin and soft tissue infections.
The expansion builds on the success of the NHS Pharmacy First service, which already enables people to access treatment and advice for a range of common conditions through their local pharmacy.
It will make it quicker and more convenient for patients to receive care closer to home, while helping to ensure GP appointments remain available for people with more complex health needs.
The new service forms part of wider NHS preparations for winter and supports the ongoing shift towards delivering more care in community settings. By enabling pharmacists to assess and prescribe treatment for a wider range of common conditions, patients will be able to access expert advice and treatment more quickly, while helping reduce pressure on other NHS services.
Lung Cancer Screening helps find nearly 500 cancers with more than three quarters diagnosed early
Nearly 500 people across Surrey and Sussex have been diagnosed with lung cancer through the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme, with more than three quarters of cancers found at an early stage.
Since the programme began rolling out across the region four years ago, 496 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer following screening. Of these, 77.5% were diagnosed at stage one or two, when lung cancer can be easier to treat and there are more treatment options available.
The programme has now also passed 100,000 lung health checks, with 101,448 completed across Surrey and Sussex. More than 167,000 invitations have been sent to people eligible for the programme, and 44,831 initial low-dose CT scans have been carried out.
Find more information about the Surrey and Sussex Lung Cancer Screening Programme, including videos and patient stories.
Suicide bereavement services win prestigious award
The vital work of two Rethink Mental Illness services in supporting people who have lost someone to suicide has been recognised at the London & Southeast Prestige Awards 2026/27.
Both the Surrey Support After Suicide and the Brighton Bereaved by Suicide services were named Specialist Grief Service of the Year.
The judges said they were particularly impressed by the psycho-social model used, while offering flexible, non-clinical support in a community setting, tackling stigma and taboos around suicide and grief to support individuals and families in navigating the hurt and confusion connected to a loss through suicide.
NHS Surrey and Sussex with local partners to challenge the stigma and taboo around suicide and fund Rethink's services, including Southdown who leads the UOK partnership, Brighton and Hove City Council, and Surrey County Council.
The recognition also comes as partners recognised World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, sharing advice, support and where to go for help.
Nursing Times Award Recognition for ASPH Project supporting bereaved families
A compassionate project supporting families after the death of a loved one in the Emergency Department at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals has been shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times Award 2026.
Beyond Goodbye, developed by Clinical Practice Facilitator Alexandra Ghica with support from Emergency Department link nurse Sasha Campbell, has been recognised in the Critical and Emergency Care Nursing category for the difference it is making to bereaved families.
The initiative provides families with a thoughtful keepsake following a death in the Emergency Department. Each package contains forget-me-not seeds and planting instructions, a condolence card, a jewellery pouch and a handmade crochet heart or flower. The aim is to offer comfort and compassion, while giving families a lasting reminder of their loved one during an extremely difficult time.
Raising awareness of the benefits of mindfulness and the importance of compassion
A Sussex-based NHS organisation which provides training in mindfulness marked World Mindfulness Day this year (12 September) with the launch of a new name and more training for healthcare workers.
The Sussex Mindfulness Centre will now be known as Sussex Mindfulness & Compassion Centre (SMCC). The new name highlights compassion as a critical part of what they do and what they offer, as well as being a supportive factor in the practice of mindfulness. The change is being made following a consultation with people working in and with the centre.
New videos launched to support people living with lateral hip pain
People experiencing lateral hip pain can now access a series of new online video resources created by First Community’s physiotherapists to help them better understand their condition and support their recovery journey.
Available on the First Community website, the videos provide easy-to-follow guidance on managing lateral hip pain, also known as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). The condition commonly causes pain on the outside of the hip and can make everyday activities such as sleeping, walking, climbing stairs and getting in and out of a car uncomfortable.
The new video resources offer patients practical demonstrations of exercises, advice on activity modification and reassurance about managing symptoms effectively at home. Evidence shows that exercise and gradual strengthening of the muscles around the hip can play an important role in recovery from lateral hip pain.
The videos are now available on the First Community website as part of the hip pain resource hub.
Every patient has a story
And finally, a moving reminder from the team on Castle Ward at Worthing Hospital. They have made a short video and song with patients in their care to remind us that they are more than their illness. They are people with lives, identities, memories and stories that deserve to be seen.
The team wanted to highlight the importance of looking closer, beyond the condition and treatment plan, and seeing the whole person.
Watch the short video on Facebook to meet some of their current patients and learn their stories.
Sign up to our AGM
Our Annual General Meeting will take place online on Wednesday 30 September 2026, from 3-4.30pm.
The meeting is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, hear about key achievements and challenges, and learn more about our priorities for the future.
You will also hear from senior leaders about how health and care services are being developed across Surrey and Sussex and will have the opportunity to ask questions about our work.
Complete our registration form to receive joining details nearer the time.