WORLD HOSPITAL DIRECTORY
Back to "Medical Updates - Homepage"
BBC News | Health | UK Edition - Recent Medical Updates
Supported housing in crisis, groups tell Starmer Supported housing for vulnerable or disabled people is in crisis, a letter to the prime minister says. 'My peanut allergy nearly killed me - now I eat them every day for breakfast' Just a few years ago, Chris Brookes-Smith could have died from eating peanuts - but taking part in a clinical trial has changed his life. Exhausted hospital staff putting patients at risk, says watchdog NHS safety body wants a focus on staff fatigue as it warns of mistakes and impaired decision-making. 'I've had 100 operations and will never stop' - inside China's cosmetic surgery boom Face-scanning apps, social media influencers and toxic beauty standards are fuelling China's cosmetic surgery boom. Millions of vapes seized in illegal trade crackdown Single-use vapes are among the main driving forces of the black market, the BBC is told. 'One-of-a-kind' girl born with heart outside chest has pioneering surgery Vanellope, now seven, undergoes more surgery to reconstruct a "cage" around her heart, using her ribs. The Supreme Court ruling gives clarity - but now comes the difficult part The judgement provides a clear framework for what equality laws mean, but it remains to be seen what will change. 'Why I want an IVF baby to screen out gene that made me go blind' Blind influencer Lucy Edwards on choosing IVF which will screen out the gene that made her who she is. Plan for GPs to keep millions out of hospital GPs will work more closely with specialists to support patients closer to home, the government says. Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban The number of people vaping in the UK has stalled, while disposable vape usage has fallen, a study suggests. WHO agrees legally binding pandemic treaty The agreement is designed to ensure more cooperation between nations in the event of another pandemic. Doctors in two end-of-life cases can be named Those involved in caring for Isaiah Haastrup and Zainab Abbasi can be named, the Supreme Court rules. North Scotland among highest rates of Huntington's The statistics are five times higher than the world figure, a University of Aberdeen study says. Why men are so unhealthy - and what can be done Men are more likely to die prematurely than women - and worse at seeking care when they need it. What goes on inside toddlers' brains? A unique study is tracking the development of hundreds of babies whose parents have also been studied since birth. 'My long Covid turned out to be terminal cancer' Olivia Knowles noticed something "wasn't quite correct" while competing in an ironman competition. Woman contacted by stranger on DNA site - and the truth about her birth unravelled An NHS trust has paid compensation after a woman, now in her 70s, discovered she had been swapped at birth. 'I could live 30 years but plan to die': How assisted dying law is dividing Canadians BBC News reports on assisted dying in Canada, where some say it's now easier to choose to die than get support to live Are my braids doing more harm than good? Research suggests the synthetic hair used for braiding could be bad for you - but will that stop women using it? California man invites BBC to witness his death as MPs debate assisted dying Wayne Hawkins believes terminally ill people should be able to die when they choose, but others in the state disagree. 'I fear I'll be dead before I get justice for my son' Tony Summers' son Paul was diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C and died in 2008 aged 44. Doctor 'betrayed' over son's death at her hospital Deborah Burns says she is unable to return to work at the hospital after the death of her son, William Hewes. Baby slings unsafe for hands-free feeding, charities warn Parenting charities, including the NCT, have updated their advice saying slings and carriers are unsafe for feeding. Fake £4m Xanax drug gang boss jailed The gang, managed from Thailand, produced 11 million pills in the West Midlands to be sold online. Baby deaths trust claimed £2m 'good care' payments An NHS trust criticised over a baby's death claimed money for providing good care, the BBC can reveal. Fertility patients sold unproven add-ons, HFEA says Despite little proof add-ons help, many IVF clinics offer them, the UK's fertility regulator warns. UK draws up new disease-threat watch list Some are viruses with global pandemic potential - like Covid - others infectious illnesses with no treatments. Hancock criticises 'wholly naive' Covid inquiry The former health secretary was giving evidence about medical equipment deals during the pandemic. Mone accuses Covid inquiry of 'cover-up' She says husband Doug Barrowman and her are targets of a "politically motivated witch hunt". Michael Gove denies trying to circumvent Dyson ventilator checks Former cabinet minister says it would be ludicrous to suggest he tried to shortcut safety checks in the pandemic. How does the Covid inquiry work? The inquiry has heard from politicians, civil servants, public health experts and bereaved families. 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. Large UK-wide pandemic preparedness tests planned this year The stress test will involve thousands of people to help the UK prepare for potential future threats. Families failed by Covid jabs tell inquiry of pain They said there was no support after the death and harm suffered by their loved ones. NHS hours from PPE running out in Covid - Hancock Former health secretary tells inquiry some healthcare settings did run out - "and it was awful". Covid inquiry told Treasury blocked NHS bed request NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard says the decision, in July 2020, was very disappointing. Covid inquiry told top NHS doctor was terrified Sir Stephen Powis says points-based tool was drawn up should need to prioritise patients have arisen. How close were hospitals to collapse in Covid? The Covid inquiry restarts its live hearings this week, after senior staff in the NHS revealed just how close some hospitals were to collapse Covid inquiry told of trust do-not-resuscitate rule Patients' families were “horrified but not surprised” when told the blanket policy had been in place. We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told Mum of premature twins says rigid restrictions on birthing wards during Covid were traumatic. Covid ambulance crews faced 'crucial PPE delays' Crews say they faced crucial delays trying to save dying patients because of the time it took to put on equipment. Covid was like a daily terror attack, doctor tells inquiry Covid inquiry hears harrowing testimony from ex-adviser in emergency preparedness at NHS England. Covid inquiry rejects clinicians’ anonymity plea The UK Health Security Agency argued naming the junior officials could put them at risk of abuse. Warning tax rises could force care homes to close Social care providers say the sector is in "unprecedented danger" without more funding. High-grade masks evidence weak, Covid inquiry told UKHSA's Prof Susan Hopkins said respirator masks may have worked no better than thin surgical masks. Nurses bore the brunt of Covid, ex-chief nurse says Dame Ruth May tells the Covid inquiry nurses struggled with low staffing levels and difficulties accessing protective equipment. Labour's plan for benefits throws up a bigger dilemma The debate has sparked a wider dilemma about the broader purpose of welfare First place in British Isles set to approve right to die Laws in the Isle of Man to let terminally ill adults end their own lives are in the last stages of debate. Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people Increasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic. Assisted dying bill: What is in proposed law? The proposed law would allow some terminally ill adults to end their own lives. But there are requirements. '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. How are the vaping rules changing? Marketing rules will be stricter, nicotine vapes will be taxed and disposable vapes will be banned. Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines? People affected by rare blood clots say they feel they have been airbrushed out of the pandemic. How will weight-loss drugs change our relationship with food? The rise of these treatments has major implications for how we think about obesity, says James Gallagher. NHS needs better plan around weight loss jabs, warn experts Experts call for an urgent review of obesity treatment services amid booming demand for weight loss jabs. How many of us will end up being diagnosed with ADHD? Experts suggest that the number of people with ADHD is actually going to remain steady. The junior doctors' strikes may be over. But is trouble ahead? 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 Experts can’t agree how exactly they affect us and it’s not clear that science will give us an answer. Are weight-loss injections the answer to obesity? The appeal is clear - but should we be turning to appetite-suppressing injections? What is assisted dying and how could the law change? MPs backed a proposal to let terminally ill people in England and Wales choose to end their life. Woman 'keeled over in agony' from endometriosis Bekki Thomas is calling for more research into the condition. Premenstrual disorder hits relationships - study PMDD sufferers expressed a lower sense of intimacy, researchers at Durham University say. 'I didn't know I was pregnant until I gave birth' Bryony had no pregnancy symptoms when she went into labour at the beauty salon she worked at. New device gives female patients more dignity A urinary bottle initially designed for men has been adapted to work for women in hospital. Morning-after pill to be made free at pharmacies in England The government hopes the move will end the "unfair postcode lottery" some women face. Wellbeing strategy aims to increase life expectancy A public consultation on the project by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will run until 16 May. GPs and sports centre join forces A group of GP practices join up with a sports centre operator to open a new healthcare service. Charity's wellness sessions take to the road The iCan organisation's van is offering support to "hard-to-reach" people in parts of Cumbria. Doctors back total ban on smacking children in England Smacking is legal in some cases in England and Northern Ireland, but is banned in Scotland and Wales. Free sauna has become a 'real community hub' The free-to-use sauna in Margate is built in the style of a 19th Century bathing machine. Inside Health James explores the science of a sweet tooth and then gets tips on how to brush like a pro. Inside Health James Gallagher and the panel consider if an assisted death can guarantee a peaceful end. Inside Health James Gallagher and the panel discuss the safeguarding implications of the proposed bill Inside Health In the first of our mini-series we discuss who could get an assisted death under the rules Taxi driver gives free ride for mental health chat A taxi driver from Farnborough has undertaken mental health training with the Samaritans. Why RFK Jr wants American cereal to be more Canadian The US health secretary on Tuesday announced the country would ban eight commonly used artificial food dyes, many found in breakfast cereals. 5 Live News Specials That Time of the Month with Naga Munchetty, Dr Nighat Arif & Dr Christine Ekechi Loud Is noise an invisible killer? James Gallagher investigates.