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BBC News - Health

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wellbeing 2026: Recovery, JOMO and brain boosting supplements

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:19:15 GMT

Wellness is a multi-trillion pound industry which continues to grow - and this year is less about maxing out, more about recovering well.

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.

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.

'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.

'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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 debate about whether the NHS should use magic mushrooms to treat depression

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:47:15 GMT

Many clinical trials to test the use of psychedelic medicines for conditions such as depression have been underway since 2022 - with surprising results

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The myth of willpower - and why some people struggle to lose weight more than others

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:03:19 GMT

Thousands of genes that have an influence on weight, say experts - which means weight loss isn't a level playing field

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.

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.

Is Dry January a good thing?

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:54:44 GMT

Dr May van Schalkwyk from the University of Edinburgh shares her thoughts with Drs Chris and Xand on What's Up Docs?

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.

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.

'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.

Inside Health

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

Surgeon who 'stripped naked in cubicle' struck off

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:09:52 GMT

The doctor was working at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth when the incidents happened.

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.

One in 10 patients spent over 12 hours in A&E in 2025

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:49:17 GMT

Nurses union says long waits and corridor care having a devastating impact on paitents.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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, 12 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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."

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.

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.

Chickenpox vaccines for young children start across UK

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:31:23 GMT

For the first time, children will be offered vaccination on the NHS against the common infection which, in rare cases, can be very serious.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Junk food TV and online advert ban comes into force

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:52:29 GMT

Soft drinks, chocolate, pizzas and ice creams will be targeted in the UK government's plan.

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.

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.

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.

Parents say babies failed by delayed diagnosis like Jesy Nelson's twins

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:12:23 GMT

After Little Mix star Jesy Nelson's revelation that her twins have SMA, parents speak about their children's late diagnoses.

How going on The Traitors could have saved Amanda's life

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:37:12 GMT

Medical checks for the show picked up contestant Amanda Collier's heart condition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

'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.

'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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

'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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Tackling the gender gap in CPR treatment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:12:44 GMT

Research shows women are 27% less likely than men to receive CPR from bystanders.

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.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

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

'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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

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.

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.

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.

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.