This is the latest version of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), first produced in 2012 and updated in December 2017.

NEWS2 has now received formal endorsement from NHS England and NHS Improvement to become the early warning system for identifying acutely ill patients - including those with sepsis - in hospitals in England.

How the NEWS works

The NEWS is based on a simple aggregate scoring system in which a score is allocated to physiological measurements, already recorded in routine practice, when patients present to, or are being monitored in hospital. Six simple physiological parameters form the basis of the scoring system:

*The patient has new-onset confusion, disorientation and/or agitation, where previously their mental state was normal – this may be subtle. The patient may respond to questions coherently, but there is some confusion, disorientation and/or agitation. This would score 3 or 4 on the GCS (rather than the normal 5 for verbal response), and scores 3 on the NEWS system.

A score is allocated to each parameter as they are measured, with the magnitude of the score reflecting how extremely the parameter varies from the norm. The score is then aggregated. The score is uplifted by 2 points for people requiring supplemental oxygen to maintain their recommended oxygen saturation. This is a pragmatic approach, with a key emphasis on system-wide standardisation and the use of physiological  parameters that are already routinely measured in NHS hospitals and in prehospital care, recorded on a standardised clinical chart – the NEWS2 chart.

FROM NHS ENGLAND AND NHS IMPROVEMENT

National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2

NHS England and NHS Improvement have endorsed a single early warning score – the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) – for use in acute and ambulance settings.

NEWS is a tool developed by the Royal College of Physicians which improves the detection and response to clinical deterioration in adult patients and is a key element of patient safety and improving patient outcomes.

Since its initial launch in 2012, NEWS has seen widespread uptake across the NHS. At present around 70% of acute trusts in England are using NEWS, with other Early Warning Scores in place in other areas. The confusion caused by the current variation in practice can compromise patient safety, something that would be eliminated by use of a common tool. With this in mind, NHS England, with the support of NHS Improvement are endorsing NEWS, and are launching an ambition to increase its use to 100% of acute and ambulance settings by March 2019.

Through standardisation of NEWS we can reduce the number of patients whose conditions deteriorate whilst in hospital, and potentially save over 1800 lives a year.

NHS England have set up a Cross-System Working Group that will work to increase the uptake of NEWS and ensure its standardised implementation. With representation from: NICE, CQC, AHSNs, clinicians and academics the group will seek to:

• Implement the national ambition to increase the uptake of NEWS
• Develop and oversee a work programme to ensure all NEWS-related activity is consistent with the national ambition and identify any barriers to standardised uptake.