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BBC News - Health

Why we might never know the truth about ultra-processed foods

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 23:33:23 GMT

Experts can’t agree how exactly they affect us and it’s not clear that science will give us an answer.

Major cuts at NHS HQ as more directors stand down

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:02:27 GMT

Up to 6,500 jobs could go as health secretary looks to bring NHS England closer to the government.

Covid inquiry told Treasury blocked NHS bed request

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:06:48 GMT

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard says the decision, in July 2020, was very disappointing.

Covid inquiry told of trust do-not-resuscitate rule

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:54:11 GMT

Patients' families were “horrified but not surprised” when told the blanket policy had been in place.

Covid inquiry rejects clinicians’ anonymity plea

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:11:07 GMT

The UK Health Security Agency argued naming the junior officials could put them at risk of abuse.

Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:36 GMT

Increasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic.

How close were hospitals to collapse in Covid?

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:06:04 GMT

The Covid inquiry restarts its live hearings this week, after senior staff in the NHS revealed just how close some hospitals were to collapse

How Dame Deborah James helped save a mum's life

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:06:52 GMT

A mother-of-three shared her story with Dame Deborah's mother Heather on BBC Breakfast.

Can health secretary name NHS trusts performing well?

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:09:11 GMT

Victoria Atkins is challenged to name some health trusts meeting their targets to cut waiting lists.

NHS needs better plan around weight loss jabs, warn experts

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:27:18 GMT

Experts call for an urgent review of obesity treatment services amid booming demand for weight loss jabs.

The junior doctors' strikes may be over. But is trouble ahead?

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:43:02 GMT

The end of the pay dispute sounded too good to be true. And now some are wondering if it might be.

Large UK-wide pandemic preparedness tests planned this year

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:36:01 GMT

The stress test will involve thousands of people to help the UK prepare for potential future threats.

'He was born navy blue': Real-life stories behind Toxic Town Netflix series

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:28:17 GMT

The drama tells the story of how families fought for justice over their children's birth defects.

Assisted dying bill: What is in proposed law?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:30:26 GMT

The proposed law would allow some terminally ill adults to end their own lives. But there are requirements.

Physician associate role is 'misleading' - coroner

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:46:18 GMT

A coroner says the public is being misled over what an NHS physician associate does.

Giving blood linked to lower risk of pre-cancer gene

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:38:00 GMT

Frequent donors were more likely to have different genetic changes in their blood stem cells, scientists found.

Covid inquiry told top NHS doctor was terrified

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:34:34 GMT

Sir Stephen Powis says points-based tool was drawn up should need to prioritise patients have arisen.

Autistic woman wrongly locked up in mental health hospital for 45 years

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:00:06 GMT

“Kasibba”, who is non-verbal and had no family to speak for her, was one of hundreds wrongly detained.

Cancer family 'financially broken' by benefits wait

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:47:12 GMT

Charity report finds seven-month average wait for families of children with cancer to access benefits.

Nurses bore the brunt of Covid, ex-chief nurse says

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:58:13 GMT

Dame Ruth May tells the Covid inquiry nurses struggled with low staffing levels and difficulties accessing protective equipment.

Boots recalls paracetamol over labelling error

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:41:31 GMT

Packaging inside the box incorrectly states the pills are a different painkiller, aspirin.

Covid ambulance crews faced 'crucial PPE delays'

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:39:04 GMT

Crews say they faced crucial delays trying to save dying patients because of the time it took to put on equipment.

Over 50% of adults worldwide predicted to be obese or overweight by 2050

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 01:25:07 GMT

Levels look set to accelerate rapidly, particularly in lower-income countries.

GPs strike deal to help end '8am scramble' for appointments

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:53:07 GMT

It gives general practices a big funding boost, as well as reducing red tape and targets.

Covid was like a daily terror attack, doctor tells inquiry

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:06:37 GMT

Covid inquiry hears harrowing testimony from ex-adviser in emergency preparedness at NHS England.

The NHS is spending a fortune giving people a death they don't want

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:07:39 GMT

The UK was once ranked the best country for end-of-life care - but, say experts, that has all changed

NHS to offer take-at-home tablet for MS

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 01:24:52 GMT

Broadening access to cladribine should help more patients avoid hospital and free up clinic time.

Michael Gove denies trying to circumvent Dyson ventilator checks

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:29:20 GMT

Former cabinet minister says it would be ludicrous to suggest he tried to shortcut safety checks in the pandemic.

NHS hours from PPE running out in Covid - Hancock

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:58:34 GMT

Former health secretary tells inquiry some healthcare settings did run out - "and it was awful".

'I couldn't cope if I passed condition to my kids'

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:06:55 GMT

A genetic testing service based in Devon is praised by a woman with a rare skin condition.

Warning tax rises could force care homes to close

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:50:35 GMT

Social care providers say the sector is in "unprecedented danger" without more funding.

Doctors didn't warn women of 'risky sex' drug urges

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:36:42 GMT

Patients given drugs for movement disorders like restless leg syndrome say their behaviour changed entirely.

Children under eight should avoid drinking slushies, doctors warn

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 01:34:02 GMT

Paediatricians studied 21 children in the UK and Ireland who became very ill after the icy drinks.

Scientists discover new part of the immune system

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:19:14 GMT

New part of the immune system - hidden inside our bodies - could be used to make new antibiotics.

How does the Covid inquiry work?

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:58:17 GMT

The inquiry has heard from politicians, civil servants, public health experts and bereaved families.

'My first cervical screening was over before I knew it'

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 01:06:51 GMT

The BBC speaks to six people about their first cervical screening, and what they wish they'd known beforehand.

Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 05:48:59 GMT

People affected by rare blood clots say they feel they have been airbrushed out of the pandemic.

Thousands miss NHS screenings due to admin error

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:33:48 GMT

Routine screening invitations were not sent because of an error dating back to 2008.

How the UK planned for the wrong pandemic

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:28:01 GMT

Over-confidence, wasted opportunities and muddled-thinking left UK sleep-walking into Covid.

First place in British Isles set to approve right to die

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:02:21 GMT

Laws in the Isle of Man to let terminally ill adults end their own lives are in the last stages of debate.

Paris: Grassroots to Glory

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:43:25 GMT

The Rugby 7s player has struggled with body image in the past, but says sport has helped

UK death rate 'reaches record low'

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:47:26 GMT

The UK death rate reached a record low last year, according to exclusive analysis of death certificate data carried out for BBC News.

Corruption review finds 'red flags' in more than 130 Covid contracts

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:04:10 GMT

An anti-corruption charity finds significant concerns in £15.3bn worth of contracts awarded during the pandemic.

Michelle Mone-linked PPE firm evidence to be heard in private

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:16 GMT

Covid inquiry says hearings into the firm, led by Michelle Mone's husband, must be held in closed session.

Are weight-loss injections the answer to obesity?

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:52:45 GMT

The appeal is clear - but should we be turning to appetite-suppressing injections?

How will weight-loss drugs change our relationship with food?

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 03:10:13 GMT

The rise of these treatments has major implications for how we think about obesity, says James Gallagher.

Sons worst affected by smoking in pregnancy - study

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:13:49 GMT

Data from half-a-million people was assessed by the University of Aberdeen research team.

How many of us will end up being diagnosed with ADHD?

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:36:40 GMT

Experts suggest that the number of people with ADHD is actually going to remain steady.

Cancer patients 'may starve' without vital drug

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:29 GMT

Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, helps digestion but stocks are desperately low.

High-grade masks evidence weak, Covid inquiry told

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 11:39:28 GMT

UKHSA's Prof Susan Hopkins said respirator masks may have worked no better than thin surgical masks.

‘I grieve for the person I was before' - Covid inquiry to begin new phase

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:13:17 GMT

The Covid inquiry opens its next set of hearings on Monday, looking at the impact on healthcare and the NHS.

Families failed by Covid jabs tell inquiry of pain

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 18:39:40 GMT

They said there was no support after the death and harm suffered by their loved ones.

Warning over rapid at-home prostate tests

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 01:44:08 GMT

Testing for PSA protein can indicate whether a man is at risk of prostate cancer.

How are the vaping rules changing?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 17:06:32 GMT

Marketing rules will be stricter, nicotine vapes will be taxed and disposable vapes will be banned.

What is assisted dying and how could the law change?

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

MPs backed a proposal to let terminally ill people in England and Wales choose to end their life.

More schools to be asked to supervise toothbrushing

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:29:21 GMT

School and nursery staff in the poorest areas will be asked to help young children brush their teeth

Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:18:18 GMT

Explore the data on how the coronavirus pandemic unfolded in the UK.

Victim records claims sickening - attacks families

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:52:51 GMT

A hospital trust is investigating if medical records of the three victims were accessed "inappropriately".

Windass: 'Dementia scares me, we need more help'

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:38 GMT

The former footballer has been speaking about his future after stage two diagnosis.

Chris Hoy says men should talk about health issues more

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:51:18 GMT

Six-time Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy calls for more openness on health matters

Can LED face masks transform your skin - here's what the experts say

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 01:37:16 GMT

The at-home light therapy treatment is increasingly being seen as a must-have skincare accessory.

Common vaginal 'imbalance' may be an STI

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:25:41 GMT

An overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, known as BV, may be spread by sex, researchers say.

We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:11:38 GMT

Mum of premature twins says rigid restrictions on birthing wards during Covid were traumatic.

Paris: Grassroots to Glory

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 05:01:00 GMT

The Paralympic Rowing Cox will compete a year after getting the all clear from cancer.

Annual jab for HIV protection passes trial hurdle

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:37:53 GMT

Lenacapavir, which stops HIV from replicating inside cells, has passed early safety tests.

'I embrace my alopecia, but I’d love my old hair back’

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:36:30 GMT

People living with alopecia could have access to treatment on the NHS in Scotland for the first time.