BBC News
BBC News - Health
Lacking willpower this January? Here's how to reframe your mind
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:38:57 GMT
Complex podcast host and chartered psychologist Kimberley Wilson joins What's Up Docs? to talk about how we think about willpower.
The hospitals where waiting times are getting worse. Is yours one of them?
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 01:31:46 GMT
Nearly a quarter of hospital trusts in England have seen waiting times deteriorate in the past year.
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?
The rugby mum looking to get others to play
Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:13:31 GMT
Annette Bevan and friends set up the Maa Maas club for mums who want to play rugby.
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.
Inside Health
Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT
Shingles vaccine to reduce dementia risk? Antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea & tech trousers
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.
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.
Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy, says study refuting Trump autism claims
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:13:47 GMT
Researchers say their gold-standard review should put an end to the debate over use of the common painkiller during pregnancy.
Long waits for disability benefit claims unacceptable, MPs say
Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:22:44 GMT
Some people are waiting more than a year to have their claims processed, the Public Accounts Committee says.
Hospital violated trans complaint nurses' dignity, tribunal rules
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:42:51 GMT
A judge says the hospital chiefs' changing room policy created a "hostile" environment for women.
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.
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.
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.
Eye surgeon's advice after his own sight-saving op
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:07:54 GMT
Dr Amir Hamid said his sight was saved by quick treatment when he had symptoms of a detached retina.
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.
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
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
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.
Babies in Midlands and North 'more likely to die around birth'
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:49:25 GMT
A study found the 10 consistently worst-performing centres were all in the Midlands and North of England.
'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.
Woman planning 115km walk after two heart attacks
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 06:16:13 GMT
Cathy Read will walk across Spain to support the charity that helped her recover.
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.
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.
'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
ADHD diagnosis 'changed' Love Island star's life
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 23:00:38 GMT
Dr Alex George wants better assessment waiting times after paying for expensive private tests.
NHS trust used charity funds for leaving party
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:38:06 GMT
Bosses, in a post to staff, say in hindsight, it was not a good use of charitable funds.
Is fibre the new protein? The surprising health benefits of the latest wellness trend
Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:34:11 GMT
It was once seen as an "unsexy nutrient" but its health benefits beyond the bowel are now in the spotlight.
Why the NHS still wastes billions on patients who don't need to be in hospital
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:08:24 GMT
The delayed discharge challenge throws up deeper questions about the care system, co-ordination - and whether some patients are over-treated
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.
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.
I stopped paying for food and heating to spend it gambling - my period made it worse
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:12:32 GMT
Researchers are looking to see if there is a link between hormonal fluctuations and gambling addiction.
'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.
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.
Flu on the rise again after Christmas mixing, says NHS
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:14:50 GMT
Cases up after two weeks of decline, as hospitals report rise in slips and falls because of cold snap.
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.
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.
How do cold weather health alerts work?
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:07:19 GMT
The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
'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.
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.
'My endometriosis pain is excruciating but I'm still waiting for surgery'
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 22:42:25 GMT
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 59,733 women in NI are now on waiting lists.
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.
Inside Health
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT
Cystic fibrosis care, AI in cancer screening & science of run clubs.
Why 'Blue Monday' isn't real
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:55:44 GMT
How the third Monday of January came to be known as the most depressing day of the year.
NHS funds football pitch to help boost island health
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:28:59 GMT
Carloway Football Club in Lewis has received a grant of £22,000.
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.
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.
Gastric sleeve surgery was 'life-changing'
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:22:25 GMT
Steph Hoy dropped from 25 stone to eight stone after surgery.
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.
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
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.
People who come off slimming jabs regain weight four times faster than dieters
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 01:21:56 GMT
Overweight people shed large amounts on jabs but gain 0.8 kg a month on average once off them, study shows.
First leukaemia patient to get new form of treatment on NHS says it is 'very sci-fi'
Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:12:21 GMT
Oscar Murphy has an aggressive form of the blood cancer and is the first to get CAR-T therapy in the UK.
Revolutionary eye injection saved my sight, says first-ever patient
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:09 GMT
Nicki's eye had collapsed in on itself, but a new gel injection method has saved her vision.
Doctor accused of sex assaults on 38 patients
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:10:57 GMT
The charges relate to alleged offences against patients, including children, in the West Midlands.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
Safe spaces needed for drug-addicted children, say grieving mums
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:03:56 GMT
More children in England are in drug and alcohol treatment, but families say many cannot get help.
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.
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.
Life-extending prostate cancer drug to be offered to thousands in England
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:00:47 GMT
Abiraterone will be available in a matter of weeks and will be offered to 7,000 men a year.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Letby trust pays £1.4m damages to ex CEO
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:56:05 GMT
Dr Susan Gilby told the BBC she was relieved the case was over and that it "was never about the money."
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.
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?
Hospital alert after fake doctor-endorsed videos
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 06:00:39 GMT
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust says online videos falsely show clinicians promoting weight loss patches.
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.
I spent months trying to find out if boosting my gut health could help me age better
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:49:40 GMT
Health editor Hugh Pym revamped his diet after a test suggested his gut health appeared to look five years older than he was
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.
Plastic surgeon who fled from inspectors suspended
Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:54:20 GMT
Dr Sayed Mia tried to flee when inspectors arrived at the central London clinic where he worked.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Doctors strike called off as union backs latest pay deal
Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:06:49 GMT
Medics had been set to go on the first national walkout staged by NHS workers on Tuesday in a dispute over pay.
Alzheimer's finger-prick test could help diagnosis
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:16:36 GMT
An international trial involving 1,000 volunteers will aim to detect biomarkers associated with the condition.
Hospitals with unsafe concrete expected to miss rebuild deadline
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:12:54 GMT
Seven hospitals with Raac that were prioritised last year are not expected to be completed on time - some not until 2032/33.
'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.
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.
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.
I'm allergic to cold - anything below 12C and I break out in hives
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:31:59 GMT
Amber breaks out in hives if the temperature goes below 12C (53F) and wishes for a "normal life".
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.
Inside Health
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Should we be having regular saunas? Plus, a breakthrough result for Huntington’s disease.
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.
Three NHS trusts still using fax machines, Streeting confesses
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:49:07 GMT
The health secretary had made it his personal mission to banish the fax machine from the NHS.
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 didn't give up, I let go. How I came to terms with not having children
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:01:50 GMT
After a decade of trying for a baby, Caroline and her husband decided they needed to build a different future.
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.
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.
'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.
Why more women are going to rage rooms
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:16:51 GMT
Some rage rooms say most of their customers are female - we talk to women about why they pay to smash up old TVs.
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.
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.
Cancer patients 'warned for years' about hospital water infections
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:32:26 GMT
John Cuddihy told BBC Scotland News his late daughter's experiences "must continue to echo beyond her lifetime".
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.
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 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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
'It's life-changing. I can see my child grow up'
Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:54:39 GMT
Doctors say they have achieved the previously impossible - restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare but dangerous eye conditon called hypotony.
