BBC News

BBC News - Health

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.

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.

'I discovered my fat build-up condition after a Love Islander had it'

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:20:13 GMT

Emma found out she had a little-known condition and "wasn't obese" after watching a reality show.

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.

Beware ill-fitting menstrual cups, warn doctors

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:35:49 GMT

Doctors have reported a rare case where the use of a menstrual cup was linked to kidney problems.

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.

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.

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

'My eye was saved by a placenta after acid attack'

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 01:35:40 GMT

Newcastle doctors use donated tissue to help save Paul Laskey's eyesight.

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.

Women with endometriosis earn less, research shows

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:49:42 GMT

Researchers suggest that following diagnosis, women may take lower-paid jobs or work fewer hours.

Fifty countries affected by USAID freeze, says WHO

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:33:59 GMT

HIV treatments and other services have been disrupted, says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

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.

'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.

NHS 'recovery plan' fails to deliver new dentists or more appointments

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:51:53 GMT

NHS leaders say the contract for dentists to carry out NHS work needs redrawing.

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.

Norovirus hospital cases reach highest level ever

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:55 GMT

More than 1,100 patients a day ill in hospital with vomiting bug last week in England.

New graves mark lost generation in drugs-ravaged Scottish town

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:05:35 GMT

In just a year and a half, at least eight victims of drug misuse have been buried in Oban's Pennyfuir cemetery.

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.

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.

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.

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

NHS review into killer's care finds major failings

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:14:12 GMT

Valdo Calocane was given a hospital order for killing Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar in 2023.

Pledge of two million extra NHS appointments met, PM says

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:35:45 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer says the figure is a "shot in the arm", but "the job isn't done" to bring down waiting lists.

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.

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.

Are noise-cancelling headphones to blame for young people's hearing problems?

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 00:00:42 GMT

More young people are presenting to audiology teams in England with difficulty processing sound.

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.

Celebrity butt-lift injector who left women with sepsis exposed by BBC

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:03:06 GMT

Ricky Sawyer gave out medication illegally and some of his clients needed emergency hospital treatment.

Cancer patients not getting right treatment, say doctors

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:07:56 GMT

Experts highlight particular problems with prostate, kidney and colon cancer in England and Wales.

Vitamin pills and icy swims: Can you really boost your immune system?

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 02:51:39 GMT

After being struck down by winter illness, the BBC's James Gallagher goes in search of ways to boost his immune system.

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.

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.

'My nephew killed my brother - but I've forgiven him'

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 01:21:28 GMT

Brenton Marriott died in August 2022, less than a year before the Nottingham attacks.

Clive Myrie: What I saw during my 24 hours at a London hospital

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:58:18 GMT

As part of the BBC's special report, Clive Myrie meets the people at the Royal Free Hospital relying on the NHS for care.

What is assisted dying and how could the law change?

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:12:10 GMT

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

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.

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.

UK men and women can expect to live longer, data show

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

Boys born in the UK in 2023 can expect to live on average to 86.7 years, and girls to 90, experts suggest.

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.

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".

Mum's 20-year fight for epilepsy drug compensation

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:01:42 GMT

Catherine Cox is certain taking valproate while pregnant caused her son's disabilities.

Sewage leaks and ops delayed - life at hospitals awaiting rebuild

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:44:25 GMT

A host of hospital building projects have been put back to the 2030s. How will they cope?

'Life-changing' gene therapy for children born blind

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 02:19:54 GMT

Four toddlers born with a rare eye condition have seen "life-changing improvements", say UK doctors.

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.

‘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.

How much is the NHS going to cost us?

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:38:57 GMT

Spending on the NHS has been going up for decades and is set to rise further. BBC Verify has examined some of the key numbers.

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.

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.

Mum fears daughter's rapid deterioration without drug

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 08:07:01 GMT

A vital drug which allows Beatrice, 5, to live relatively normally may become unavailable on the NHS.

'Suicide website users encouraged our teen son to drink poison'

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 02:25:06 GMT

Reeling from Vladimir's death, his family reveal the harrowing risks of a website obsessed with dying.

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.

Mesh victims still wait for financial compensation

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:06:40 GMT

A year after a major report called for urgent action, no scheme has been put in place to help victims.

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 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.

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.

Surgeon suspended after children hurt by treatment

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:54:02 GMT

An NHS chief exec apologises "unreservedly to our patients and their families".

Photos show 'crumbling', abandoned hospital rooms

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:24:53 GMT

Nottingham's hospitals were due to be upgraded but a government rebuilding programme was delayed.

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.

Vaping clinic for children begins seeing patients

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:08:07 GMT

The service in Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital aims to get 11 to 16-year-olds "nicotine free".

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

'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.

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.