Spotlight newsletter 30 October 2026
People urged to choose well this Halloween for NHS help and support
The NHS is encouraging people not to get spooked if your child becomes unwell this half term. Everyone can take the fright out of finding the right care by knowing which NHS service to use for you and your family.
With children off school and Halloween celebrations in full swing, minor bumps, coughs and tummy troubles are common.
NHS Surrey and Sussex is asking parents and carers to choose well so children get the right help quickly, and emergency departments stay free for people with serious or life-threatening conditions.
Read the full story and find out which NHS services are available this week.
How lung cancer screening helped detect Betsy's cancer early
More than 500 people across Surrey and Sussex have been diagnosed with lung cancer through the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme since it was launched in the area four years ago, helping people to get the right help and care.
Three-quarters of those patients were found to have cancer at an early stage, making it easier to treat.
One of those patients was Betsy Ead. She was one of the very first people to be invited for lung screening when the programme launched in Crawley in summer 2022.
Betsy took up her invite and had a CT scan in a mobile unit located in the town’s Asda supermarket car park.
Her initial scan identified a small nodule in her lung, which was monitored through regular scans. When it grew last year, further tests confirmed it was cancer.
Read her story in full and watch Betsy’s film where she talks about her experience
HPV vaccine campaign reaches more than 435,000 views as NHS urges young people to catch up
A current campaign encouraging young adults across Surrey and Sussex to catch up on their HPV vaccination has been viewed more than 435,000 times in its first month, as the NHS continues its drive to help protect young people against several types of cancer.
The TikTok campaign forms part of an eight-week approach coordinated by Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance (SSCA) and NHS Surrey and Sussex aimed at young people who may have missed their HPV vaccination.
Universities across Surrey and Sussex have also received flyers highlighting the importance of HPV vaccination and encouraging eligible students to check whether they have received theirs.
40,000 SEND children across South East England can now receive life-changing eye care as charity SeeAbility brings its award-winning service into special schools
Disability charity SeeAbility has been awarded an NHS contract to offer eye care to large numbers of special schools across South East England.
SeeAbility’s research shows that children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have a sight problem, but over four in ten have no history of eye care. Since 2013, the charity has brought sight tests, glasses dispensing and full clinical care into special schools to combat this striking health inequality among SEND children.
Half of the children SeeAbility has supported have had a problem with their vision, and often a simple pair of glasses is all that is needed.
One person whose life has been transformed by the service is Terence, who received his first ever eye test through SeeAbility at the age of 20. The charity’s eye care team identified that he had a prescription of minus 19, meaning he could see no further than two inches from his face. When he received his first pair of glasses, his vision was fully corrected: an experience captured on film, highlighting the impact of the service.
Read the full story and watch Terence’s story - A world brought into focus.
NHS urges people to prepare their medicines cabinet for winter
As the NHS prepares for winter, people across Surrey and Sussex are being encouraged to check their medicines, plan ahead for repeat prescriptions and report any suspected side effects as part of this year’s MedSafetyWeek campaign.
The eleventh annual #MedSafetyWeek runs from 2 to 8 November 2026, with the theme ‘Side effects - don’t ignore them, report them’. The campaign highlights the importance of reporting suspected side effects and other problems with medicines and medical devices through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Anyone can report a suspected problem, helping the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) identify potential safety concerns and take action where needed.
With winter traditionally bringing increased demand for NHS services, taking simple steps to prepare at home can help people manage minor illnesses and look after their health. NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board is encouraging people to keep essential medicines in stock, order repeat prescriptions in good time and check that medicines are stored safely.
New Surrey NHS service to bring drug and alcohol support directly to people sleeping rough
People who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness in Surrey can now get drug and alcohol support more easily through a new NHS service that launched at the start of October.
The new Rough Sleeping Service has been launched by i-access, Surrey’s specialist drug and alcohol service run by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with VIA. It provides dedicated drug and alcohol support for people experiencing homelessness, taking help directly into the community.
The service provides flexible, timely and confidential support tailored to each person’s circumstances. People do not need to be ready to stop using drugs or alcohol to ask for or be offered help. They can receive support to reduce their substance use, work towards recovery or simply explore the treatment options available to them.
Autistic and Wonderfully Wired conference 2026
Autistic children and young people from across West Sussex have joined forces with their allies to create a series of powerful short films, sharing honest and personal insights into how adults can better understand their experiences and provide meaningful support.
The films were screened during the recent Autistic and Wonderfully Wired conference which welcomed a line-up of neurodivergent guest speakers and hosted workshops all aimed at providing a platform for autistic children, young people, their families and school staff to share what is important to them.
Read the full story and watch highlights video from the Autism and Wonderfully Wired conference 2026
Evaluation shows potential of WorkWell Sussex to improve health, confidence and employment outcomes
A programme providing health and employment support has shown that it can help people move towards work, training or volunteering.
WorkWell Sussex provided health and employment support for people with musculoskeletal and mental health issues that affected their ability to return to work or remain in employment.
The programme ran in Crawley, East Brighton and Hastings as key front-runner locations for neighbourhood health in Sussex.
An evaluation found that it supported people as part of the programme and also had economic benefit to the local area as well.
Read the full story and view both the 3 page summary and the full WorkWell Sussex Evaluation report
Are you emergency ready?
Everyday emergencies like storms can disrupt the essential services you rely on—like your phone, water, power and the internet.
Taking a few simple steps to prepare can make a big difference, helping you manage while emergency support reaches those who need it most.
If you or someone you know might need extra support during a gas, electricity or water outage, they may be able to sign up for the Priority Services Register. It’s a free service that ensures utility companies know who may need extra assistance.
Lots of households are eligible, including those of pensionable age, people with long-term illnesses, and families with children under 5.
Find out more about how to prepare and check your eligibility for extra help