BBC Health

NHS boss received nearly £400,000 'redundancy' pay-off when she retired

The payment comes ahead of a planned major overhaul of Scotland's NHS which could see the number of health boards cut dramatically.

I almost died after a toothache led to sepsis and a rare heart condition

Doctors told Danny Ellis it was a "miracle" he was alive after his first heart surgery failed.

Paramedic injured while assisting patient

The ambulance service said the "attack lasted a number of minutes"

Senior doctors at Glasgow hospital in care delay warning

Consultants at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital say conditions for emergency patients there are deteriorating.

Psychiatric intensive care unit for women to open

The unit will care for women with serious mental health needs in Kent and Medway.

'My brother died, so I smashed up his TV'

From bereavement to stillbirth, more women are finding release in rage rooms from Bath to Swindon.

Cancer survivor calls for fertility funding change

A woman who survived blood cancer says she wants survivors to get funded fertility treatment.

'Painful condition meant I had to leave my job'

A charity says women should not have to choose between work and health because of endometriosis.

What's your love language - and does it actually mean anything?

The theory of ‘Love Languages’ has no scientific origin but it's often still mentioned in modern dating.

New GP contract deal a 'start' but more funding needed, BMA warns

The Department of Health (DoH) said it will give an additional £40m across two years for "improvements in patient access and primary care activity".

Paramedic sustains multiple injuries in hospital assault

The NI Ambulance Service said the paramedic sustained injuries to the back of her head, neck, face, and hands during the incident.

'Cancer treatment plummeted me into menopause'

Women are calling for more support to deal with menopause caused by their cancer treatment.

There's finally a treatment for my five-year-old's dementia - but it'll cost me £3m

The dementia treatment for children is available in the US, with funding for UK children unclear.

Period products 'essential not optional'

Matt Tyrer is working on a scheme which will ensure access to free sanitary towels or tampons.

'You feel that you're not alone' - the young people finding community in grief

Too Young to Grieve is an informal peer support community providing young people with a space to grieve.

Should energy drinks be banned for under-16s?

The Welsh government says it wants to ban children under 16 from buying high-caffeine energy drinks.

Under-16s could be banned from buying energy drinks in Wales

Young people in Cardiff told BBC Wales they supported the proposed ban.

Health minister instructs trusts to pause cuts to Phone First service

The triage line was scrapped in Belfast and was to close in the Northern Trust later this month.

'The veil of shame around postnatal depression needs to go'

Mums are helping other parents to recognise the signs of postnatal depression and psychosis.

Tempted by snacks before bed? Here's why - and what you can do about it

There are biological reasons why you may reach for sweet treats before bed, but you can change the habit.

UK doctor infected with Ebola being treated at London hospital

The doctor tested positive in DR Congo, where there is an outbreak. The government says the risk to the public remains low.

Brothers warned health trust days before man's death

Barnaby Spicer died in December 2024, weeks after being discharged from a mental health hospital.

What in the World

And what are the signs your iron is low?

Midwives concerned over possible baby unit closures

The RCM union says possible closures in Norfolk would also affect patients in neighbouring counties.

Why a US-funded vaccine trial on babies was cancelled in Guinea-Bissau

The trial was condemned as "unethical" and "neocolonial" because half of the babies would not be given the vaccine.

The NHS is relying more on charities - and that might be creating problems for patients

Is it symptom a health service at breaking point - or a positive way of involving the public?

Cocaine overtakes heroin as leading cause of drug deaths in England and Wales

The number of deaths linked to cocaine use in England and Wales has nearly quadrupled in a decade.

'Such terrible waste' as health trust buildings could cost an extra £20m

The maternity building on the Royal Victoria Hospital site is already tens of millions of pounds over budget.

'Multi-cancer' blood tests coming to some GP surgeries soon

The aim is to detect hard-to-diagnose abdominal cancers, including liver, ovarian and pancreatic cancer, much sooner.

Rural health board shake-up opposed as locals fight cuts to hospital beds

The plans would see inpatient beds reduced from 146 to either 90 or 60 in the county.

I was told I was too young to have cancer

Beth Jenkins' cancer was initially missed after told she was "too young" to have the disease.

No babies to be born at hospital from end of November

A pregnant woman is to lodge Judicial Review papers to attempt to delay the implementation of the plan.

Binet 'embarrassed' by cancelled appointments

Drone disruption, cancelled appointments and the new hospital. Jersey's health minister, Senator Tom Binet, was in the Hot Seat with Alison Moss.

'Quiet quitting' could be hitting the economy - here's why

Britons have become less engaged with the jobs they do and are less willing to put in extra effort, a report has found.

Inside Health

Plus, a new study measuring levels of forever chemicals in our blood launches in the UK.

I was told I was too young to have cancer - it had spread by the time I was diagnosed

Beth Jenkins' cancer was initially missed after told she was "too young" to have the disease.

Woman saved by CPR has 'another chance at life'

South West Ambulance Service says immediate action is vital for better patient outcomes.

Could this robot help cut gynae waiting lists?

BBC News NI health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly watched a new robot perform surgery at Belfast City Hospital.

'It took years to get pain-relieving surgery - I hope a robot means others won't have to wait'

A woman who waited in pain for years for endometriosis surgery praises high-tech bid to end delays.

'I could barely stand up straight with menopause after cancer'

Complex menopause has severe, sudden symptoms and happens due to medical interventions.

Parents' concerns to trigger urgent checks in A&E

Concerns from staff, parents, carers or the child themselves will trigger an immediate escalation of care.

'I felt ostracised due to cleft lip'

Emily Evans says her cleft lip made her feel "ostracised" growing up,

Cleft lip filler 'boosts confidence' - but expert warns of exploitation risk

Two women from Wales are among the growing number of people having lip filler after cleft lip and palate surgery.

At risk in-person postpartum mums' groups saved

The Happy Mums Foundation supports women experiencing postpartum mental health challenges.

Cancer patients 'deteriorating' due to staff shortages, radiologists warn

North and west Wales have a 42% shortfall in consultant radiologists, compared to 22% in south Wales.

New charity uses outdoors to improve mental health

A new charity hopes to use outdoor activities to improve men's mental health on the Isle of Man.

Hospital admits full responsibility for 24 failures that led to toddler's death

Eleanor Aldred-Owen died after surgery because an abnormal scan was not flagged.

Closing urgent care centres would have 'dire consequences', objectors say

Plan to close three urgent care centres sparks worry about pressure on GPs and emergency departments.

'I was heading for a breakdown, then books saved my life'

Birmingham author Kit de Waal says a chance conversation changed her life after she left home at 16.

Why you should eat kiwi and pineapple skins

Eating fruit and vegetable scraps such as peels and stalks could provide a health boost that most of us are missing, say UK researchers, external.

I gave birth in ambulance on A96 amid staff shortages at local hospital

Hannah Smith was travelling to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital as she could not go to Dr Gray's in Elgin.

'My low Vitamin D levels hit me like a truck'

Saskia Reeves-Priestley didn't know she had a Vitamin D deficiency until she suddenly collapsed at work.

How major policy shift is changing police response to mental health call-outs

999 calls will be triaged and if there is any risk of harm or to life, or if a crime is involved, the police will still attend.

Biggest fibre boost could be scraps in your bin, experts say

Chomping on vegtable skins, seeds and stalks could give us vital fibre, say food scientists.

I didn't know I was lacking in vitamin D until I collapsed at work

Doctors are finding vitamin D deficiency is increasingly widespread in the UK, especially in young people. But the symptoms are difficult to spot and can be missed.

Heart attack patient, 83, had to drive four hours for hospital appointment

Charles Swift faced a 140-mile round trip to get to a hospital, but had to drive himself.

New law changes make vape vending machines illegal

New vaping rules are now in force in the UK, but what does this mean.

Hundreds of GP practices lose online services after collapse of tech firm

It will cause huge disruption in some parts of England and Wales, say GP leaders.

Concern over cut to young people's mental health crisis scheme

The Card Before You Leave scheme ensures young people experiencing a mental health crisis who present at a hospital's emergency department are given a written appointment with specialists before leaving.

New rules for vaping and nicotine products... do you know them?

Vulnerable at risk as 'life-saving' drug needle site closes

Belfast charity workers warn people who use the "life-saving" service will be left without support.

Mum of critically ill baby denied hospital food as she wasn't breastfeeding

Sophie Price had given birth in the same hospital five days earlier but was denied a hot meal.

Mum says autistic son, 18, left abandoned and falling through cracks in system

A County Londonderry mother says her son, who has autism and has turned 18, "is falling through cracks in the system".

NHS Western Isles prescribing weight loss drugs at triple the rate of other health boards

A new report finds "significant variation" between Scotland's health boards prescribing new medicines.

Terminally ill mum who can't talk, walk or dress herself refused Pip payment

Rachael Field, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, had her tongue and voicebox removed and windpipe reconstructed.

Patient living in 'horrific pain' due to UK-wide drugs shortage

Jill Kenning says she has been unable to get a drug she uses to manage her condition.

Is all processed food bad for you?

Going to the supermarket has become a minefield.

Woman's Hour

What influence can a first lady have on world affairs?

More than third of deaths of ex-prisoners on probation drug related, says report

Politicians are being urged to tackle "systematic failures" in the criminal justice system.

Inside Health

Plus, a new study measuring levels of forever chemicals in our blood launches in the UK.

Inside Health

And the barriers queer couples can face in accessing fertility treatment.

Woman says 40-mile journey to hospital while having contractions was 'scary'

The Southern Health Trust plans to temporarily transfer inpatient maternity services from Daisy Hill to Craigavon.

Exercise helps woman recover from partying life

Megan Hamon says her life has turned around after struggling with excessive drinking and partying.

'We're very busy' - Inside Wales' newest hospital

BBC Wales correspondent Owain Clarke visited the Grange Hospital following concerns about its safety.

Can you tell ferritin levels from your face?

Some creators are claiming they can spot "ferritin face". Doctors aren't so sure.

Consultant doctors in England to strike next month

Senior doctors to stage 48-hour walkout, beginning on 25 November, in dispute over pay and pensions.

Is 'ferritin face' a real thing - and can you really spot low iron from looks?

Videos in which people claim to spot the signs of low iron have attracted millions of views online.

On frontline at hospital denying online claims it is 'dangerous' and 'dreadful'

Grange University Hospital has faced criticism over long delays, overcrowding and staff shortages.

Illuminated

Daniel Kraemer takes us inside an epileptic seizure.

The debating club that helped shape NHS architect Aneurin Bevan's drive for power

How a group of young radicals helped set Aneurin Bevan on the path to founding the NHS.

Wellbeing support demand for cancer patients grows

Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey publishes its annual report looking back at 2025.

I thought I was dying but it was health anxiety - here's how to recognise the signs

Hollie Sharman shares her experience of health anxiety and a doctor advises on how to manage symptoms.

Second Labour MP suspended over Covid loan repayments

Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth, voluntarily referred himself for investigation.

Government failings allowed Covid 'to spread like wildfire' in care homes, inquiry finds

The sixth report from Covid inquiry criticises the lack of PPE and the way patients were discharged from hospital.

Inside Health

Experts warn poor at-home injecting techniques and new drugs mean new health risks.

Covid failings in care homes: What the inquiry says

From the shocking lack of PPE to restrictions on visitors - the key points from the sixth Covid inquiry report.

'It gives me the ick': Can you cheat on someone with a video game?

Grand Theft Auto VI lets you build and nurture a romantic relationship but some say dates with a fictional character are a step too far.

Why people who have never smoked are getting hooked on vapes

More than one million people now vape who have never been smokers, according to the ONS.

Covid vaccine compensation scheme set for overhaul after Inquiry criticism

Ministers promise to reform the scheme that provides financial support for those injured or bereaved by vaccines in the UK.

Our business ads were taken down for saying 'pregnancy' on Instagram

Creators say women's health content is getting them shadowbanned on social media. So what's really happening?

Hospital doctors to strike as pay dispute continues

The British Medical Association says hospital doctors in Northern Ireland plan to strike in November.

Inside Health

Full body scans, nutritious stockpiles and why strokes are rising in black communities.

Yes, hang-xiety is a real thing

Waking up feeling hungover AND anxious? BBC Health's Chloe Hayward explains the science behind hang-xiety.

Which emergency foods should you stock up on?

The BBC's Annabel Rackham shares some dos and don'ts, following government advice in case of food supply chain disruption.

Starting uni? What to know about the free NHS meningitis B jab in England

It follows the UK's largest and fastest growing meningitis B outbreak to date in Kent earlier this year.

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

Some people can carry bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick, but can spread it to others.

Doctors vote to take strike action in row over pay

The British Medical Association is in dispute with Manx Care over "pay erosion since 2008".

Resident doctors take strike action over pay

The BMA said there will "undoubtedly be cancellation of operations, outpatient appointments and elective care" but "patient safety will still be prioritised".

Consultants and specialist doctors take strike action over pay

Full emergency cover remained in place and patients were told to attend all scheduled appointments unless advised otherwise.

A&E to remain open as doctors' strike called off

Resident doctor strikes are now on pause while they consider a new pay offer form the government.