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Showing posts from February, 2025

GPs 'facing closure' over national insurance hike

Some NI GP practices face the risk of going under due to a hike in national insurance contributions.

Blumenthal: 'I thought the TV was talking to me'

Chef Heston Blumenthal says being sectioned was the "best thing" as he dealt with bipolar symptoms.

Cancer patients 'may starve' without vital drug

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

Nurse left out of tea round was unfairly dismissed

Susan Hamilton wins her case for unfair constructive dismissal against a south London NHS Trust.

Health chiefs warn of potential second norovirus wave

A different strain of the winter vomiting virus is now on the rise, UK health experts say.

Apology after woman's body lay in flat for 3 years

Laura Winham, 41, was found dead in her flat in Woking by her mother and brother in May 2021.

Scanner could 'transform' breast cancer treatment

Scientists in Aberdeen say the scanner could make an extraordinary difference to diagnosis and treatment.

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

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

'Brain surgery took my childhood memories'

A devastating side effect made Weronkia Somerville lose 14 years of her life, and then she discovered she had to go through it again.

NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard stepping down

Her departure comes less than a month after two House of Commons committees discussed her suitability to lead the NHS.

GPs laughed off Traitors star's endometriosis fears

Elen Wyn says endometriosis pain is like being stabbed in the stomach as she faces wait for surgery.

Epilepsy AI tool detects brain lesions doctors miss

One in five epilepsy patients has uncontrolled seizures due to brain abnormalities too subtle for doctors to spot.

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

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

Mum fears daughter's rapid deterioration without drug

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

Gene therapy experiment gives children 'life-changing' sight boost

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

Norovirus hospital cases reach highest level ever

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

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

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

New graves mark lost generation in drugs-ravaged Scottish town

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

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

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

Cancer patients not getting right care, say doctors

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

'There could be no NHS dentists in two years'

Dentists say NHS contracts are becoming more challenging to fulfil meaning they need to hand contracts back or lose money.

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

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

Mum's 20-year fight for epilepsy drug compensation

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

Pledge of two million extra NHS appointments met, PM says

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

'Funny, kind Semina lit up room': 12-year-old's tragic overdose death

An inquest into the death of Semina Halliwell, who said she was raped by an older boy, finds her death was "unpreventable".

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

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

'Steroids gave me heart failure at 30 and I could die early'

A bodybuilder and steroid user warns against taking the muscle-building drug.

How much is the NHS going to cost us?

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.

Record NHS baby deaths fine 'follows empty promises'

The parents of Wynter Andrews, who died under NHS care in 2019, say a trust has "failed to learn".

Fifty countries affected by USAID freeze, says WHO

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

Up to 140,000 blood scandal relatives may claim compensation

Thousands of partners, parents, children and siblings of victims may be in line for payments.

NHS trust fined £1.6m over failings in baby deaths

The fine over the deaths of Adele O'Sullivan, Kahlani Rawson and Quinn Parker is the largest for an NHS trust in maternity care.

'I have to shower at the gym' - disabled people wait for simple home changes

The time taken for councils to do home adaptation assessments for elderly and disabled people has risen, the BBC finds.

Judge's sperm donor warning over man who 'fathered 180 children'

Women are warned against a man who claims his sperm has fathered children all around the world.

'Future generations need cure' for brain disorder

Scientists hope to find a cure for a genetic condition linked back to a single Cumbrian family line.

Beware ill-fitting menstrual cups, warn doctors

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

MP behind assisted dying bill suggests scrapping High Court approval

It comes after concerns were raised over the court's capacity to hear each individual case.

Troubled NHS trust pleads guilty in baby deaths case

The trust has pleaded guilty to six offences in relation to the deaths of three babies in 2021.

Nurses at psychiatric unit called teens 'pathetic'

A BBC investigation finds some nurses were verbally abusive and cruel towards unwell teenagers.

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

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

Woman stuck for 18 months on an NHS ward evicted from her hospital bed

She lived in a cubicle, despite being fit to leave, because of difficulties finding a care home.

Photos show 'crumbling', abandoned hospital rooms

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

'Alarming' rise in strong illicit nicotine pouches

Concerns have been raised over a "significant growth" in imported illegal nicotine pouches.

We aborted healthy babies after NHS mistakes, couples tell BBC

Two women had abortions after an NHS trust mistakenly told them their babies had serious conditions, the BBC has learned.

Mesh victims still wait for financial compensation

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

Hospitals experience busiest week of winter so far

More than 98,000 patients fill hospital beds, as vomiting-bug cases continue to rise in England.

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

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

Women with endometriosis earn less, research shows

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

'Clear failings' found in NHS care of triple killer

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

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

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

Major breast cancer screening AI trial to begin

Almost 700,000 women to be recruited to study as government fires starting gun on cancer strategy.

Weight-loss jab checks to be tightened by pharmacies

Online pharmacies will no longer be allowed to use customer pictures or questionnaires as evidence.

Starmer denies breaking Covid rules with voice coach

Leonie Miller was invited to coach the then-opposition leader on his response to Johnson's Brexit deal.

Changing room trans row nurse 'felt intimidated'

Sandie Peggie, who was suspended after complaining about sharing a changing room with a transgender colleague, gave evidence at an employment tribunal.

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

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