BBC News
BBC News - Health
Smoking ban for people born after 2008 in the UK agreed
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:39:52 GMT
The "landmark" legislation aims to stop anyone born after 1 January 2009 from taking up smoking to create a smoke-free generation.
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".
Pregnancy vaccine reduces baby hospital admissions for RSV by 80%
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:35:23 GMT
A study confirms the vaccine gives excellent protection for babies against life-threatening chest infections.
What NHS challenges does the election winner face?
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:13:24 GMT
There are currently 687,958 people waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.
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 NHS challenges does the election winner face?
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:13:24 GMT
There are currently 687,958 people waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.
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.
The surprising health benefit that could be in your pint
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:38:28 GMT
Drinking the odd pint of beer can provide "substantial levels" of an essential brain-boosting vitamin in your diet, according to new research in a respected journal.
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.
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.
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.
Is the bite of the false widow spider dangerous?
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:41:57 GMT
Experts say noble false widow spiders could be to blame for an increase in bites being treated in hospital.
Health visitors call for limits on 'impossible' 1,000-family caseloads
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:08:51 GMT
BBC analysis shows the number of health visitors in England has almost halved in the last 10 years.
Men's group hopes to ease strain on NHS services
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:25:00 GMT
"I want to tackle loneliness and we feel like this group can do that," the organisation's founder says.
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.
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.
What is vegan collagen?
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:22:54 GMT
What's the latest on Collagen?
Caffeine pouch craze: A teenage trend troubling some 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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inside Health
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT
James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.
'Adenomyosis ruined my life'
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:07:44 GMT
Rachel Moore is raising awareness for adenomyosis a womb disease which she said has ruined her life.
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.
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.
Maternity boss 'confident' as unit reopens
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:18:38 GMT
Staff say they have addressed concerns over staffing, equipment and learning from serious incidents.
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.
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.
What does hot weather do to the body?
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:46:50 GMT
Hot weather during the summer can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm.
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.
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.
'I'm not being listened to' - new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:01:48 GMT
New plans to improve healthcare for women and girls have been set out, but will they change anything?
Inside Health
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT
James Gallagher is joined by experts to answer key questions on the meningitis outbreak.
'I paid for a private hysterectomy'
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:09:21 GMT
Rachel Moore spent years in debilitating chronic pain due to the womb disease, adenomyosis.
'I used delivery apps to hide the shame of alcoholism'
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:57:13 GMT
Hattie Underwood is a recovered alcoholic and she told 5 Live’s Naga Munchetty how she used delivery apps to "anonymise" her alcohol consumption.
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.
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.
Hay fever misery does last longer - here is how to cope
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:41:51 GMT
Symptoms are lasting for up to two weeks longer than in the 1990s, according to a major report - so what can you do about the pollen bomb?
Your pint could come with a surprising health benefit
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:08:36 GMT
Beer provides "substantial levels" of vitamin B6 into your diet, according to new research.
Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:46:28 GMT
The Health Secretary says his "door is open" for more talks to resolve the long-running dispute.
Pupil art sessions 'bring joy' to hospice
Sat, 28 Mar 2026 16:06:55 GMT
The Hospice in the Weald in Pembury runs the sessions for people with life-limiting conditions.
Palantir defends its record as MPs demand more scrutiny of data use
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:57:51 GMT
NHS guidance that all hospitals should be using Palantir software from this month has sparked a backlash.
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.
'I paid for a private hysterectomy'
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:09:21 GMT
Rachel Moore spent years in debilitating chronic pain due to the womb disease, adenomyosis.
New light shed on who benefits most from weight-loss jabs
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:07:19 GMT
People who carry variations in two genes linked to appetite and digestion can lose more weight when taking drugs to treat obesity, research suggests.
UK healthy life expectancy falls by two years in past decade
Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:34:48 GMT
Poor housing, obesity and the effects of deprivation have been suggested as underlying cause.
Asbestos toy warnings
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:16:30 GMT
Asbestos toy warnings
Inside Health
Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT
James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.
I'm on six different NHS waiting lists - it's taking over my life
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:52:58 GMT
Amy-Jane Davies is one of 687,958 waiting for any type of NHS treatment in Wales.
'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.
