BBC News

BBC News - Health

'Doctors strikes' and 'paw prints in space'

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:12:09 GMT

A round-up of stories from local newspapers and the BBC from the past week in the West of England.

Newcastle's Burn on mental health and importance of asking for help

Mon, 11 May 2026 09:50:53 GMT

Newcastle United Foundation has painted benches in the city's Leazes Park to highlight mental health and encourage fans to talk to each other. Defender Dan Burn spoke to BBC Sport about the work being done and how important it is to "check in".

What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it spread?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:22:02 GMT

Two people have died following an "unpredecented" outbreak of meningitis in Kent.

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

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:20:11 GMT

The fourth report from the inquiry into the pandemic said the vaccine roll-out was an "extraordinary feat".

Hundreds contact BBC about mystery skin condition 'hell' - but doctors can't agree it exists

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:41:47 GMT

Some think it's a severe case of eczema. Others say it's a condition called TSW. But doctors are stuck in a dilemma.

Inside Health

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

Hantavirus survivor says sickness was like 'hell on earth'

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:57:43 GMT

Two survivors who caught the hantavirus years earlier told the BBC they both felt lucky to be alive.

'We have to respond to women's health needs more easily'

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:23:29 GMT

Groups in Liverpool are trying to remedy the historical under-resourcing of women's healthcare.

University explores endometriosis and cancer link

Fri, 08 May 2026 04:36:06 GMT

The condition affects one in 10 women in the UK and can cause debilitating pain and infertility.

What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:59:20 GMT

Know the signs and what to do if someone is unwell in hot weather.

What death doulas can teach us about dying

Sat, 02 May 2026 23:10:38 GMT

Death doulas or soul midwives have increased in popularity in recent years. What do they do?

UK alcohol deaths fall for first time since Covid pandemic

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:52:44 GMT

Experts say the “modest reduction” is “not cause for complacency”, with calls to redouble efforts to slash deaths further.

Worldwide race to trace passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:02:52 GMT

About 12 countries have so far been linked to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, as the UN health agency confirms at least five cases.

Cruise passengers tell of life on board stranded ship after hantavirus outbreak

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:52:42 GMT

While passengers onboard the MV Hondius say the situation is calm, they face days at sea as officials warn the disease may have spread.

Hantavirus: WHO chief says public health risk is low

Thu, 07 May 2026 14:46:56 GMT

The origin of the outbreak is still unknown, with the World Health Organisation saying investigations are "still under way".

Mums' choir leader 'baffled' by park fee structure

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:24:27 GMT

A postnatal choir leader says professional dog walkers pay less to use the city's parks.

Rollout of Covid vaccines extraordinary feat - inquiry report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:39:07 GMT

Covid vaccines saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but a small minority harmed need better support, says report.

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship on way to Canary Islands after three evacuated

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:40:24 GMT

A British man is among three evacuees sent to the Netherlands after displaying symptoms while aboard the MV Hondius.

'Month of worry' over doctor strike surgery delay

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:32:52 GMT

The strike further delays Tom Lawson's gastric bypass surgery after a more than three-year wait.

Ethiopian woman's joy at rare quintuplets after 12 years trying for a baby

Fri, 08 May 2026 06:48:20 GMT

The woman, 35, says she was praying for a baby and was "overjoyed" to be "blessed with five at once".

Vaccines a huge success, but public trust must be earned - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:02:12 GMT

Immunisation saved hundreds of thousands of UK lives, but vaccine hesitancy remains an issue.

Hantavirus: Your questions answered

Thu, 07 May 2026 18:03:38 GMT

Lucy Woodham answers your questions on the outbreak of hantavirus on board a cruise ship

Sophie Raworth: 'I hope I can still run in my 80s'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:13:41 GMT

Sophie Raworth talks about the need for exercise as we get older.

Hantavirus may have spread between passengers on cruise ship, WHO says

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:38:50 GMT

Two cases of the virus, which rarely spreads between humans, have been confirmed on the ship, and three people have died.

French national shows symptoms on return from hantavirus-hit ship

Mon, 11 May 2026 03:29:58 GMT

Five passengers of the MV Hondius will be quarantined in Paris "until further notice", France's prime minister says.

Researchers look into island's health benefits

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:11:23 GMT

The team aims to find out what it is about the Isle of Wight that makes people feel better.

Inside Health

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher finds out how a hot flush feels - and delves into a new treatment.

Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:00:08 GMT

The jab targets the H5N1 flu strain which has caused devastating infections in bird populations worldwide, but has yet to spread between humans.

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.

Hospitals coping well with doctors' strike so far - NHS boss

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:56:27 GMT

Resident doctors in England – the new name for junior doctors – are taking part in their 15th walkout in a long-running pay dispute.

How are countries responding to hantavirus?

Tue, 12 May 2026 08:51:41 GMT

The UK, US and EU are asking all citizens returning home from the virus-hit MV Hondius to self-isolate for about six weeks.

Women-only mental health crisis house to open in town

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:13:02 GMT

Swindon's new mental health support facility for women will be an "alternative" to hospitalisation.

Concern 'dangerous' performance enhancers are being sold online

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:14:24 GMT

UK Anti-Doping have published research into SARMs being sold on social media platforms. The survey found a third of people aged 16-25 see ads for SARMs every week.

The Global Story

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

When conversation drifted into fantasy, one man grabbed a hammer and prepared for war.

Inside Health

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

Mother and baby mental health unit to go ahead

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:28:10 GMT

Mike Nesbitt says Northern Ireland's first regional mother and baby unit in should open within the next three years.

NHS cancer jab could save patients hours in hospital

Sun, 03 May 2026 23:10:56 GMT

Thousands of patients will be offered a new injectable form of an immunotherapy drug that takes minutes.

Inside Health

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher is joined by experts to answer key questions on the meningitis outbreak.

Should you really trust health advice from an AI chatbot?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:04:43 GMT

Abi has had very mixed results when asking a chatbot for guidance about her health issues.

Hantavirus strain that spreads between humans found in cruise ship passengers

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:32:59 GMT

South Africa's health ministry said the Andes strain of the virus was found in two confirmed cases linked to the outbreak.

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.

Doctors' strikes can have surprising benefits - but are they sustainable?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:06:45 GMT

Some hospital trusts tell the BBC previous action has seen shorter waits, faster decisions and calmer corridors.

How is Keir Starmer getting on with his pledges to deliver change?

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:59:13 GMT

At the end of 2024, Keir Starmer announced key government targets including on NHS waiting lists and building new homes, how is he getting on?

How to check whether you have bowel cancer

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:32:57 GMT

What are the main symptoms and causes of bowel cancer, and how can you reduce your risk of getting it?

What is vegan collagen?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:22:54 GMT

What's the latest on Collagen?

How worried should we be about hantavirus?

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:01:52 GMT

Passengers potentially exposed to hantavirus are being repatriated, so what is the risk to the wider public?

Wellbeing garden opens to combat isolation

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:07:31 GMT

The outdoor area at Yarm Wellness will officially open to the public on Saturday.

Stay at home advice questioned and rules too tough - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:23 GMT

An NHS close to collapse, patients failed and NHS staff put at risk - what you need to know.

What is hantavirus and how does it spread?

Sun, 10 May 2026 16:22:20 GMT

The Andes strain of the virus, which can rarely be passed from person to person, has been found among passengers of a cruise ship.

Daily pill to help keep weight off after stopping obesity jabs

Tue, 12 May 2026 23:06:23 GMT

The tablet - orforglipron - is available in the US and could soon launch in the UK.

Calls for Reformer Pilates regulation amid boom

Mon, 04 May 2026 06:15:44 GMT

Reformer Pilates businesses in the UK rose nearly ten-fold between 2024 and 2025.