BBC News

BBC News - Health

Doctors' union agrees to resume talks with Streeting

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:03:16 GMT

But the health secretary says he will not negotiate on pay, adding that the union has lost goodwill with their five-day walkout.

'You look like a man': How Shell Rowe discovered she had cancer

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:38:14 GMT

The TikToker tells You, Me and the Big C podcast about her cancer journey.

The teenage caffeine pouch trend troubling US experts

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:06:06 GMT

Some social media influencers are pushing products to young gym-goers and students, health experts warn.

Mum, 26, 'wants to be sterilised' due to problems accessing sickness drug

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:08:15 GMT

Chloe booked an abortion because her sickness was so severe she could not look after herself.

Magnesium: Can this 'miracle mineral' really help us sleep?

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:04:39 GMT

The global market in this supplement is worth almost £3bn - a figure set to nearly double over the next decade.

'Getting financial help through my GP has improved my health'

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 05:16:27 GMT

How linked are financial worries and health? GPs in London are trialling a financial support scheme.

The private notes and secret documents that tell the inside story of the UK's Covid response

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:12:50 GMT

The Covid inquiry is set to publish its second set of findings looking in detail at the huge political decisions that had to be made in 2020.

How do cold weather health alerts work?

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:22:20 GMT

The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.

'I was diagnosed with OCD at 10'. Here's how to spot the signs

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:18:01 GMT

Most of us will have intrusive thoughts at some point. Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney explains when you should seek help.

Much of £11bn Covid scheme fraud 'beyond recovery', report says

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:48:32 GMT

The response to the pandemic led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error", a report says.

'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.

Trust's maternity care 'exemplary', say inspectors

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:58:28 GMT

Maternity services at Lancaster Royal Infirmary are rated "good", but improvements must be made in A&E.

What is happening to flu this winter - and should you buy a vaccine?

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:12:50 GMT

Flu has come early this year with a new mutated version of the virus circulating.

My eating disorder made me good at lying, says Victoria Beckham

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:08:18 GMT

The former Spice Girl's new Netflix documentary has landed - under the shadow of a reported family feud.

'Damning' evidence of political pressure to open scandal-hit hospital - Sarwar

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:23:24 GMT

The Scottish Labour leader says documents prove ministers pushed for the country's largest hospital to open early.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer and what should you check for?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:12 GMT

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:47:13 GMT

Watson co-discover the double-helix structure of DNA, but his reputation was later damaged by his comments on race and sex.

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.

Illegal teeth-whitening industry exposed by BBC

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:06:25 GMT

A BBC investigation finds kits on sale containing more than 500 times the legal limit of bleach.

'You don't feel judged': Why we buy more at self-service terminals

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:05:18 GMT

How restaurants and retailers use behavioural science to get us to increase our spending.

'I was diagnosed with OCD at 10'. Here's how to spot the signs

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:18:01 GMT

Most of us will have intrusive thoughts at some point. Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney explains when you should seek help.

Union and government to restart talks on ending doctor dispute

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:03:52 GMT

BMA says there is window of opportunity in coming weeks to reach a settlement after 12 strikes.

Has flu peaked? What the figures tell us

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:23:10 GMT

NHS remains on high alert over flu, health bosses say, but there are signs infections are levelling off.

Newborn baby dies after mum not woken for heart rate check

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:48:41 GMT

Sonny Taylor was "left distressed for a significant amount of time" before his birth, a report says.

The doctor strike has ended - what comes next?

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:02:02 GMT

With doctors returning to work after five-day walkout, is there an opportunity for talks to re-start?

Thousands of children facing 'catastrophic' waits for NHS community care

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:37:45 GMT

A quarter of the 300,000 children waiting for community NHS care have spent more than a year waiting.

Inside Health

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James is joined by an expert panel to discuss NHS plans.

Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:07:14 GMT

BBC analysis shows cost to taxpayer is 50% higher than thought, with inquiry's own costs at £192m.

Private flu vaccine stocks running low as cases rise

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:03:07 GMT

Those eligible for a vaccine can access jabs from the NHS, but experts say that people have turned to pharmacies for convenience.

Covid inquiry hears impact on firms and staff

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:50:37 GMT

Business owners describe breaking into tears as they were forced to lay off staff, while workers feared for their jobs

Inside Health

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT

How is EBV triggering autoimmune disease?

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.

Couple to re-start trek around Britain's coastline

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:26:52 GMT

After having to halt their first attempt due to an injury, the couple are ready to set off again.

What does 'quiet resilience' look like?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:10:03 GMT

Kimberley Wilson talks to psychologist and therapist Dr Sula Windgassen on how to build "quiet" or "flexible" resilience.

Five ways weight-loss jabs are changing spending habits

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:11:19 GMT

With GLP-1 drugs rising in popularity, how are businesses adapting to a new type of consumer?

Hospital disruption continues after fire

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:42:56 GMT

Southampton General Hospital limits A&E admissions and cancels operations following blaze.

Cosmetic doctor sorry for picking apart singer Troye Sivan's looks on TikTok

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:48:19 GMT

The singer hit out at Dr Zayn Khalid Majeed - who says he will try to have a positive impact with his content.

Hampstead ponds trans access challenge dismissed

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:16:22 GMT

The current policy is that trans men and trans women are entitled to use the pond of their choice.

Inside Health

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Should we be having regular saunas? Plus, a breakthrough result for Huntington’s disease.

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.

What's really going on with flu this winter?

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:06:36 GMT

We've been told we're facing an unprecedented superflu. Is it?

Gove apologises after Covid report alleges 'toxic' culture

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:42:12 GMT

The ex-senior minister apologises for mistakes in the pandemic, but defends some of the previous government's actions.

A facelift at 28? Why young people are turning to plastic surgery

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 01:05:48 GMT

Gone are the days when facelifts were for the ageing wealthy. Now younger people are going under the knife.

Sugar tax extended to milk-based drinks: What you need to know

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:33:18 GMT

Milkshakes and lattes to be included in UK sugar tax scheme for the first time.

Menopause linked to Alzheimer's-like brain changes

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:04:46 GMT

Menopause is linked to a loss of grey matter in regions involved with memory and emotion, study suggests.

Flu jabs offered in pub in vaccination drive

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:28:38 GMT

Regular pop-up vaccination clinics are available at The Bevy community pub in Brighton.

Lockdown could have been avoided - key findings from Covid inquiry

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:01:47 GMT

The long-awaited report is published into how well or badly the government handled the Covid pandemic.

'Hospital's neglect in my son's death has ripped our hearts out'

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:01:39 GMT

Peter Dervin says he warned Broomfield Hospital staff not to leave his son alone before fatal fall.

Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid?

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:06:44 GMT

Resident doctors in England are striking between 17 and 22 December, the 14th walkout since 2023.

Toddler finally home from hospital for Christmas

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:08:34 GMT

Bertie Melly was in hospital for 18 months after his premature birth in May 2024.

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.

Boris Johnson left Inquiry in a hurry - he'll be pleased not to come back

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:49:01 GMT

School closures seemed the only option but lockdowns probably went "too far" , former PM tells Covid Inquiry.

Flu wave hits England's busiest A&E - hundreds of patients are arriving a day

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The BBC visits Leicester Royal Infirmary to witness first-hand how it's coping with an early surge in cases of winter bugs.

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.

Autism and ADHD assessments are a 'postcode lottery'

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:44:18 GMT

A Scottish Parliament committee is calling for urgent action to improve assessments for autism and ADHD.

NHS tracker - are hospital waiting times improving near you?

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:15:44 GMT

Use our interactive tracker to see if treatment waits are getting better at your local hospital.

One day of planning went into Covid school closures, inquiry hears

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:31:19 GMT

This part of the inquiry is looking at the impact the pandemic had on children and young people.

Hancock ignored call to test all NHS staff, Covid inquiry hears

Thu, 15 May 2025 18:23:21 GMT

Two Nobel prize-winning scientists worried about "asymptomatic transmission" between staff and patients.

Families of children with cancer to have travel costs covered

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:35:52 GMT

The government sets aside £10 million a year to help families and young people under 24 access cancer treatment.

Resident doctors vote in favour of more strike action

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:20:28 GMT

Members of the British Medical Association have backed more walkouts in the dispute over pay and jobs in England.

Abortion at 15 'changed my life', says Senedd candidate

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:59:25 GMT

Tessa Marshall has shared the experience to highlight issues such as women's rights and sex education.

I wanted ChatGPT to help me. So why did it advise me how to kill myself?

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:03:17 GMT

ChatGPT wrote a woman a suicide note and another AI chatbot role-played sexual acts with children, BBC finds.

Is it a cold, 'super flu' or Covid? How to tell the difference

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:28:03 GMT

How to identify whether you have cold, flu or Covid and how to look after yourself.

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.

UK did 'too little, too late', leading to thousands more Covid deaths - inquiry

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:42:03 GMT

Report on government decision-making says delays cost 23,000 lives in the first wave in England.

UK launches plan to tackle 'forever chemicals' amid growing concerns

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:06:49 GMT

Increasing testing for PFAS is part of the UK's first ever national plan for tackling the substances.

Woman took her own life after benefits cut in error

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:16:20 GMT

A coroner wrote to the DWP to express her concerns after the death of Tamara Logan in Tameside.

Critical incidents declared at two hospital trusts

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:50:27 GMT

NHS bosses are urging people to only come to A&E if it is an emergency.

Your nose gets colder when you're stressed. These thermal images show the change

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:28:34 GMT

Psychologists subjected a BBC reporter to a carefully designed thermal camera stress test.

Like a screwdriver in my face - Life with 'the world's most painful known medical condition'

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:09:52 GMT

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare condition where something as simple as a gust of wind can cause excruciating pain.

Seven million cancers a year are preventable, says report

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:00:13 GMT

Scientists say there is a powerful opportunity to save lives because nearly 40% of cancers are preventable.

ADHD services shutting door to new NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:04:46 GMT

A BBC investigation finds that a host of areas in England are closing waiting lists and others are rationing care.

What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:02:05 GMT

The inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic has heard from politicians, civil servants, experts and bereaved families.

'Since having Covid my life has completely changed'

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:05:22 GMT

A teenager has told the Covid-19 inquiry she often feels "left out" after missing so much school.

US officially leaves World Health Organization

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:18:30 GMT

Trump ordered the withdrawal a year ago, accusing the UN agency of failing to adopt reforms and mishandling the pandemic.

'I get nightmares': Child tells BBC of botched surgery by disgraced GOSH surgeon

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:05:43 GMT

12-year-old Vivaan Sharma was one of 94 patients harmed by surgeon Yaser Jabbar

What is chickenpox and who can get an NHS vaccine?

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:31:12 GMT

The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.

The clock is ticking for my five-year-old son with dementia

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:23:30 GMT

Tammy McDaid describes how she had a panic attack after waking up on Tate's birthday.

Weight loss jab users warned over rare but serious pancreas issue

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:49:03 GMT

Symptoms to look out for include severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away.

The Covid Inquiry Podcast

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Baroness Hallett makes her second report into the UK's pandemic response. With Jim Reed.

How I proved hair loss and dizziness aren't just symptoms of 'being a mum'

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:28:46 GMT

Iron deficiency is a relatively common problem, especially in women. Here's how to spot the symptoms.

You can now book online to see your GP. But is it any easier to get an appointment?

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 01:57:44 GMT

A month since GPs in England started offering online appointment bookings, patients recount their experiences.

How does the disposable vape ban work, and how harmful is vaping?

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:56:48 GMT

The disposable vape ban is designed to reduce environmental damage and protect children's health.

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.

The English neighbourhood that claims to hold the secret to fixing the NHS

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:04:10 GMT

With public satisfaction in the NHS just 21%, one area has a plan to shake up its services that could reduce GP waiting lists, as well as unblock hospital beds - but can it really work nationwide?

Some schools disrupted amid rise in flu cases

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:52:04 GMT

Flu is on the rise, but ministers say schools should only close in extreme circumstances.

AI model from Google's DeepMind reads recipe for life in DNA

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:03:22 GMT

It could transform our understanding of why diseases develop and the medicines needed to treat them, says researchers.

What does 'quiet resilience' look like?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:10:03 GMT

Kimberley Wilson talks to psychologist and therapist Dr Sula Windgassen on how to build "quiet" or "flexible" resilience.

'Toxic' No 10 culture harmed Covid response, inquiry finds

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:32:49 GMT

Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and Matt Hanock are all criticised for contributing to poor Covid decision-making.

Ambulance demand spikes as flu season worsens

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:14:11 GMT

The service says calls increased by 20% in the past week, fuelled by illnesses such as the flu.

'I needed a coil to ease the bleeding but I just sat on a waiting list'

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:01:04 GMT

Elaine Gracey was in a lot of pain but says she was expected to just put up with her menopausal symptoms.

'I spent £2,000 on one event': Why Gen Z is obsessed with Hyrox

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:45:40 GMT

How young millennials and Generation Z - people in their twenties to early forties - have become obsessed with this fitness craze.

Could weight-loss jabs be behind rising gallbladder removals?

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:03:39 GMT

Last year, there was a 15% annual increase in the operations and surgeons want more research.

Prostate cancer screening: What you need to know

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:47:11 GMT

Everything you need to know about the decision on who should be screened for prostate cancer.

Flu: How are hospitals in your area affected?

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:38:13 GMT

Use our interactive tool to explore the latest flu numbers in your area

Hospital to be UK's largest robotic surgery centre

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:42:38 GMT

The Denise Coates Foundation has donated £12m towards robotic surgery capabilities at the hospital.

Ketamine helped me escape my negative thoughts - then it nearly killed me

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:08:50 GMT

Young people are taking dangerous amounts of ket because it's cheap, easily available and helps them "disconnect", experts say.

Inside Health

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James inhales a lungful of fumes to see if he can see air pollution moving inside him

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".

Is the most expensive lip balm always the best?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:38:36 GMT

Do you need to spend more to get the best for your chapped lips?

What's in the Covid inquiry report... in 68 seconds

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:46:50 GMT

The report looks at whether lockdowns were timely and reasonable, and what impact rule-breaking at the heart of government had on public confidence.

Mental health chat encouraged at coffee mornings

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:48:39 GMT

Three coffee mornings are being held in Wolverhampton as part of a national mental health event.

Sleep, exercise, hydrate - do we really need to stick to recommended daily doses?

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:08:06 GMT

As a study casts doubt on the daily steps maxim, we take a look at some other health benchmarks we’re often told to strive for.

Delayed action before 2020 Christmas lockdown 'inexcusable'

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:09:37 GMT

Baroness Hallet says ministers failed to take "decisive action" against an "entirely foreseeable" variant.

Labour's plan for benefits throws up a bigger dilemma

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 06:06:29 GMT

The debate has sparked a wider dilemma about the broader purpose of welfare

Covid inquiry hears of 'generational slaughter'

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:55:44 GMT

Relatives of care home residents tell the Covid inquiry they will never get over how their loved ones died.

'A predator in your home': Mothers say chatbots encouraged their sons to kill themselves

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:20:52 GMT

In her first UK interview Megan Garcia speaks to Laura Kuenssberg about the death of her teenage son.

Ever feel the need to switch off? Your vagus nerve might hold the key

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 02:04:22 GMT

You might not have heard of it, but can training your vagus nerve give you a moment or two of peace?

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.

'I have a sweating problem': What Alan Carr's Traitors admission tells us about how social taboos changed

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:47:10 GMT

Let's talk about sweat... From contestants on The Celebrity Traitors and scores of celebrities openly discussing it, to the trend of professionals using saunas for business meetings

Mum with cervical cancer begged for scan after years of being 'fobbed off'

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:32:48 GMT

Jessica finally received a diagnosis after "begging" for an MRI scan revealing she needed urgent treatment.

What is Mpox and why are cases rising in Europe?

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:38:13 GMT

UK health officials are encouraging gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men to be vaccinated.

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.

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.

Millionaire GP behind asylum seeker hotels

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:36:29 GMT

A firm founded by a GP tried to evict 100 people from flats while planning to move asylum seekers in.

Trial launched to 'help spot health risks early'

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:08:48 GMT

A pilot scheme is rolled out in the north of the Isle of Man by the public health directorate.

Ipswich Town stars inspire pupils to be healthier

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:54:49 GMT

Two Tractor Boys join a project that is tackling oral health and healthy diets among children.