NHS membership organisations to merge; Review into patient information leaflets; Hospital discharge experiences report
Merged NHS organisations to provide "one clear voice"
NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation are merging into a single membership body to represent NHS organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland more effectively. The two organisations conducted significant engagement with members – spanning NHS trusts, integrated care boards, primary care providers, and voluntary sector providers. The merged organisation's purpose will be to improve the NHS and the health of the people of the UK. It will be the independent membership body providing an influential voice for NHS leaders and supporting its members to drive improvement.
Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of NHS Confederation, and Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, chair of NHS Providers, said: "Our members have told us loud and clear they want one clear voice for the NHS to represent and support them to improve care on behalf of their local communities. Coming together into a single membership body will enable us to do that more effectively." A new membership offer will be launched in March 2026 and will start from 1 April. A new leadership and staffing structure will also be in place by the end of March 2026, including an external recruitment process for the new chief executive. A review of brand identity is also underway.
Read more about the changes on the NHS Confederation website here.
Reviewing how patients interpret health leaflets
A review into how patients interpret health information leaflets has outlined the significance of patient-centred design to promote critical health literacy. Researchers reviewed studies which documented patient experiences and reported barriers to understanding existing patient information leaflets. The analysis focused on patients' cognitive processes while reading leaflets, relevant reading theories, and the application of Nutbeam's three-tier health literacy model – functional, interactive and critical literacy – to patient education. The review concluded it was crucial to update and redesign patient information leaflets. Researchers said its findings can guide healthcare professionals, educators and public health institutions in generating patient education tools that are interactive, adaptable and sensitive to diverse literacy levels. The review also identified practical design strategies, including simplifying language, structuring visual layouts, prioritising messages and fostering reader engagement, that can make leaflets more accessible and meaningful. Researchers also introduced a model to inform patient-centred leaflet design.
Read the review via the Wiley website here.
Report explores hospital discharge experiences
National Voices has published the findings of its latest research which explored peoples' experience of care following discharge from hospital. The research was commissioned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and had a particular emphasis on the ways older people living with frailty and people from groups experiencing health inequalities are supported following hospital discharge. Overall, PIF member National Voices said participants described positive discharge experiences and follow‑up care that supported recovery, independence and confidence to speak up about concerns. However, delays, poor co-ordination, and unclear communication during discharge sometimes undermined otherwise good care.
When asked about information and communication, overall respondents tended to strongly agree or agree that the information they received about their treatment and follow-up care was clear and they also understood how to share feedback. In conclusion, National Voices suggested empowering patients to understand the discharge process through a simple guide to their rights, which must be disseminated in both digital and analogue means, including in alternative languages.
Read the full report on the National Voices website here.
New copyright resource for NHS staff
Updated copyright guidance and advice has been launched for NHS Scotland staff, especially for those creating content or sharing resources with colleagues. The updated resource, created by NHS Education for Scotland (NES Knowledge Services), includes practical advice to help staff across health and social care understand what is permitted when using copyrighted materials in their day-to-day work. Along with copyright basics and an e-learning module, other topics covered include:
- Ownership and sharing - The NHS context.
- Permissions and licensing.
- Exceptions and fair dealing.
- Handling uncertainty and risk.
- Sharing and reuse of your work.
- Myths, misunderstandings, and attitudes.
- AI and copyright.
The resource includes a reminder about AI tools, pointing out that the NHS Scotland licence does not currently allow using copyrighted content with AI tools (including Copilot). Staff are asked not to copy and paste articles, images, or documents into AI tools to summarise, rewrite, or analyse them.
Find the guidance on the NHS Education for Scotland TURAS website here.
Men increasingly exposed to online misinformation
The latest research from Healthwatch England has revealed that an increasing number of men are using social media and artificial intelligence (AI) as everyday sources of health advice. The Men's Health Report found that while most men turn to the NHS most often for information on staying healthy, one in five are now using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and almost one in 10 are using AI chatbots. Healthwatch England has warned that although online content can be instant and engaging, it is not always accurate and can expose men to online misinformation that can harm their wellbeing.
The report also highlights how younger men and men from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to seek information on staying healthy from sources outside the NHS. The report says that while the social media and AI shift brings new risks, it also creates a vital opportunity for the NHS to improve health literacy and strengthen its presence online. Healthwatch England has called for health services to communicate more effectively online, using the platforms and formats that men already engage with. The report also says men need the tools and understanding to assess digital information critically, so they can navigate AI and social media safely.
Read the full report on the Healthwatch England website here.
Report finds plummeting trust in institutions
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer global report has found that widespread grievance is eroding trust. The annual report reveals more than 6 in 10 globally have a moderate or high sense of grievance. This is defined by a belief that government and business make their lives harder and serve narrow interests, and wealthy people benefit unfairly from the system. Those with a high sense of grievance distrust all four institutions – business, government, media, and NGOs (non governmental organisations which are dedicated to causes).
The report states that grievance stems from four key factors. First is lack of hope for the next generation – less than 2 in 10 in the UK believe things in their country will be better than today for the next generation. Second is the mass-class trust divide, and third is a global unprecedented lack of faith in institutional leaders – an average of nearly 7 in 10 respondents worry government officials, business leaders and journalists deliberately mislead them. Lastly, confusion over credible information – more than 6 in 10 say it is becoming harder to tell if news was produced by a respectable source.
Read the full report on the Edelman website here.
Webinar: How to host a women's health discussion
Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is hosting a free online information session on how to host a Conversation Café. The ALLIANCE launched a Conversation Café toolkit in support of the Scottish Government Women’s Health Plan in 2023. The toolkit includes resources, recommendations and guidance on hosting independent Conversation Cafés to encourage information sharing and peer support on areas of women’s health. The webinar on 19 November will provide information on the toolkit and advice on how to use it. The session is for those considering using the toolkit with their own group to host a Conversation Café, facilitators who have already used it but are looking for tips and support and for those who are generally interested in promoting positive discussion spaces on women’s health.
Find out more and register on the ALLIANCE website here.
UK to host international library and information event
The library and information association CILIP has announced the most prestigious international library event – the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) – will take place in London and across the UK in 2027. The news comes after a successful bid by a partnership led by CILIP, which runs several special interest groups, including the Health Libraries Group. Much of the multi-day congress will take place at the Excel Centre in East London but there will be events held across the capital and all four UK nations.