BBC News

BBC News - Health

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.

Eleven countries added to methanol poisoning warning list

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:22:45 GMT

The Foreign Office list now includes India, Morocco and Nepal following a "global increase" in reported cases.

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".

Lord Cameron reveals he had prostate cancer

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:13:46 GMT

The former PM is calling for more men to be screened for the disease, which is the most common cancer in males in the UK.

Libraries to host community events over winter

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:46:30 GMT

The sessions in December and January aim to bring people in Wolverhampton together during the colder months.

WHO warning over shortage of obesity jabs

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:05:41 GMT

Too few people who could benefit from so-called "skinny jabs" are able to access them, says WHO.

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.

Prostate cancer screening should not be offered to most UK men, say experts

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:27:42 GMT

It recommends that only men with a confirmed genetic risk of prostate cancer should be screened for the disease.

'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.

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.

Obesity jab drug fails to slow Alzheimer's

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:13:38 GMT

There were initial hopes that the drug in weight loss jab Wegovy could slow progression of dementia.

Move over fillers - here's why people are having facial injections made from fish sperm

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:07:45 GMT

Celebs including Charlie XCX swear by them. But what are polynucleotides and do they work?

Boy with rare condition amazes doctors after world-first gene therapy

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:03:00 GMT

Oliver has an inherited condition called Hunter syndrome, which causes progressive damage to the body and brain.

HIV battle is not over, warns It's a Sin creator

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 07:08:23 GMT

Russell T Davies says misinformation about the virus made him "despair".

Women 'traumatised' by breast cancer treatment at NHS trust

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:55:16 GMT

More than 200 patients suffered harm, including unnecessary mastectomies, the BBC has been told.

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.

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.

Prostate cancer screening: what you need to know

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 19:06:43 GMT

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

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.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

We investigate the safety of melatonin as a sleep aid, and should you eat your placenta?

Wellbeing support for terminally-ill islanders

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:34:09 GMT

A hospice offers a free programme for those with life-limiting or serious progressive illnesses.

HIV warning to older women as infections increase

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:48:16 GMT

The Blue Sky Trust charity reacts to a rise in HIV infections among heterosexual women.

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.

Will my favourite drink cost more?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:48:18 GMT

Packaged milk drinks, including some packaged coffees, will be included in the "sugar tax", the Health Secretary has announced.

Inside Health

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Cystic fibrosis care, AI in cancer screening & science of run clubs.

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?

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.

Doctors to stage five-day strike before Christmas

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:25:09 GMT

Walkout in England begins on 17 December and will be 14th strike in pay dispute.

Councils should not cut 'vital' physical activity - former Olympian

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:45:50 GMT

The Accounts Commission says the amount councils are spending on culture and leisure services is not keeping up with rising costs.

Mother had 'agonising' health test without consent

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:04:43 GMT

Dawn Lord says she had no idea what was happening to her during her "traumatic" hysteroscopy.

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?

'It sounds dramatic but singing class saved my life'

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 07:16:11 GMT

Hundreds of peopling attending singing groups are being taught songs and breathing techniques.

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.

Doctor strike inflicting pain and misery on patients, says health secretary

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 18:08:03 GMT

Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the five-day strike by resident doctors is "completely irresponsible".

'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

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.

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.

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.

How do cold weather health alerts work?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:33:35 GMT

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

'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.

Ultra-processed food is global health threat, experts warn

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:53:04 GMT

It is increasing our risk of a range of chronic diseases, including obesity and depression, a major review says.

Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:44:53 GMT

The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.

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.

JFK's granddaughter raises awareness of rare leukaemia with poignant essay

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:18:53 GMT

Doctors say Tatiana Schlossberg's struggle - even with the best care as a member of a prominent family - emphasises the need for more research.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

'Price of sports bras shouldn't stop us competing'

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:18:32 GMT

A former Team GB athlete is calling for free sports bras and fittings for secondary school girls.

US and UK agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceuticals

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:58:35 GMT

The deal follows threats of tariffs as high as 100% on branded drug imports.

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

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:58:17 GMT

Resident doctors in England are striking between 14 and 19 November, in their 13th walkout since 2023.

Hospitals knew a heart device led to more patients' deaths - but they kept using it

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:00:03 GMT

Almost half of patients given a heart pump, after the NHS had raised concerns about it, died soon after.

NHS waiting list down - how is your hospital doing?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:23:12 GMT

At the end of September, the backlog stood at 7.39 million in England.

AI vs superbugs: UK invests millions to tackle drug-resistant infections

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:10:18 GMT

The UK turns to artificial intelligence (AI) to reverse the rising numbers of infections that shrug off antibiotics.

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.

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

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:27:45 GMT

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

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.

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

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:27:45 GMT

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

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.

Biggest prostate cancer screening trial in decades begins in UK

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:45:04 GMT

The study aims to find the best way to detect prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men in the UK.

My late husband's organs transformed the lives of four people

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 08:33:52 GMT

Mark Hutchinson was only 52 when he died unexpectedly last year after suffering two strokes "out of the blue".

Adolescence lasts into 30s - new study shows four pivotal ages for your brain

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:11:12 GMT

Brain scans on thousands of people reveal the dramatic shifts the brain goes through between birth and death.

Three-year-old Oliver is 'wonderful' after world-first gene therapy

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:45:44 GMT

Toddler Oliver and his dad Ricky join Jon and Sally on the Breakfast sofa, to discuss his progress after his ground-breaking gene therapy.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Shingles vaccine to reduce dementia risk? Antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea & tech trousers

Advice for PCOS has not changed for 30 years, says patient

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:54:45 GMT

Alex Allan says she feels "sad" that treatment for the condition has not moved forward in that time.

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.

'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.

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.

'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.

NHS tracker - are hospital waiting times improving near you?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:14:27 GMT

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

Call for medical notes alert for maternity scandal families

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:25:55 GMT

Kayleigh Griffiths says the alert came about because families had to keep retelling their stories.

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.

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.

NHS doctor suspended over alleged antisemitic social media posts

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 22:30:42 GMT

The tribunal ruled the doctor's posts "may impact on patient confidence" in both her and the profession.

Council to support workers with endometriosis

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:07:33 GMT

Deputy mayor Ceri Cawley plans to start a support group for women with endometriosis.

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.

At 21, I was crushed by a stranger's joke about going bald. Then the way I looked at myself changed

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:52:35 GMT

There are multiple ways for men to combat hair loss now, but should they have to?

Inside Health

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

We try to figure out why drug deaths are at an all-time high - and what can be done.

Lord Cameron Successfully Treated for Prostate Cancer

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:26:36 GMT

Former PM was diagnosed earlier this year and received electrical pulse therapy

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.

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.

'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.

'Traumatic wait' for women facing breast cancer diagnoses

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:04:01 GMT

Dr Jilly O'Hagan says she is "hugely concerned" after three patients in her surgery received a late cancer diagnosis.

New puberty blockers trial to begin after UK ban

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:38:27 GMT

Those taking part in the study will be children under 16 who are going through puberty.

What is chickenpox and how can I get my child vaccinated?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:51:59 GMT

The NHS in England and Wales will start offering the MMRV vaccine to young children from January 2026.

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.

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.

Man donates kidney to woman he met after crash

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:17:38 GMT

Transplant donor says "anyone with a heart would give something to keep someone else alive".

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

Three-year-old Oliver is 'wonderful' after world-first gene therapy

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:24:54 GMT

The toddler has astounded doctors with his progress, nine months after the ground-breaking treatment.

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.

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

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:03:57 GMT

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

Review of unpaid carer debts announced after damning report

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:39:31 GMT

Former charity boss Liz Sayce found confusing guidance on Carer's Allowance had left thousands with fines and surprise bills.

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.

Do you know what a forever chemical is?

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:21:50 GMT

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, exist in many household items such as waterproof clothing and cookware.