BBC News

BBC News - Health

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

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:27:27 GMT

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

Resident doctors take strike action over pay

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:45:58 GMT

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

World's first patient to undergo live AI-assisted brain surgery has tumour removed

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:07:22 GMT

Without brain surgery guided by live AI assistance, Rhys Hibbert could have lost his sight to a tumour.

Off to Reading or Leeds? Here's your guide to festival make-up (without the toxins)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:09:54 GMT

Neon is on trend, but some make-up products pose a serious risk to your health. Here's what to check for, and how to dazzle.

Powerlifter wins golds despite endometriosis pain

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:11:21 GMT

Lhamo Weston says it's important to be open about competing with endometriosis

Children as young as six going to A&E in mental health crisis

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:21:27 GMT

NHS emergency departments are seeing more cases of self-harm, eating disorders and emotional distress in young people.

The Global Story

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The US is an outlier in its approach to prosecuting infanticide. Why?

Obesity rates have doubled in England since 1993 - what's going on?

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:38:46 GMT

Around seven million more adults are living with obesity than would have been if obesity rates had stayed the same as 1993.

UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:16 GMT

The UK medicines regulator has given approval for an experimental vaccine to be tested on healthy adults.

Menopausal women pose as men to buy testosterone online after prescription difficulties

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:57:14 GMT

One menopause specialist says she has seen women with up to 12 times the safe level of the hormone.

Transplanted pig kidney works in US man's body for record 271 days

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:31:23 GMT

A man has lived for a record nine months with a transplanted pig kidney while waiting for a human transplant.

Inside Health

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Also, running during pregnancy and how to recover.

Inside Health

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:12:00 GMT

Millions of people still have long Covid, yet a cure still isn't quite within reach.

More protein or less? The foods to get you through a heatwave

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:05:56 GMT

When turning on the oven is a no-no and you're bored of salads, these foods (and drinks) will help to beat the heat.

Doctors vote to take strike action in row over pay

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:08:16 GMT

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

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

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 14:15:17 GMT

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

NHS bosses warn of chaos in ADHD and autism care

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:23:09 GMT

Costs are spiralling out of control as unregulated private providers capitalise on demand, say managers.

PMOS clinics 'good start, but more can be done'

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:26:15 GMT

Jersey's government launches a three-month trial clinic to help women with the ovarian syndrome.

What's driving men to get penis fillers, despite the risks?

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:42:33 GMT

Men who have had the procedure can expect 10-20% more girth for the next six to nine months - but it can go wrong.

The 'hidden gem' offering a place to grow, connect and heal

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 06:22:29 GMT

Annadale Community Garden Group is one of four groups or individuals in the running for this year's Make a Difference Awards NI.

Baby Tommy's our 'light', says grieving family of newborn whose mum died in childbirth

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:42:10 GMT

Chelsea McGillivray, from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, fell into cardiac arrest during labour after what was believed to be a textbook pregnancy.

How hunger for a new weight-loss drug is feeding an industry of fakes

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:47:40 GMT

Dupes of retatrutide are flooding the black market, but the drug is yet to be approved by regulators.

Inside Health

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

How understanding inflammation could transform treatments from cancer to Alzheimer’s.

New home means 'big ambitions' for wood enterprise

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 06:11:34 GMT

Wolverhampton Wood Recycling's bigger premises will bring more volunteers together, its founders say.

What in the World

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:05:00 GMT

American sailors and marines finally had a break in Pattaya, Thailand

UK salmonella cases nearing 500 as egg investigations continue

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:00:35 GMT

Close to 500 people have become ill with salmonella linked to imported eggs, say UK authorities who are investigating more clusters.

UK wasted £10bn on PPE that left NHS staff poorly protected, Covid inquiry finds

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:12:53 GMT

Healthcare staff were unable to properly protect themselves, or those in their care, from dangerous infections, says the latest inquiry report.

Heart trial after breast cancer has 'improved my life'

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:10:22 GMT

Lucy Shepherd is one of 90 women to take part in a trial helping cancer survivors come off medication.

Inside Health

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Plus, how much do people really change their habits for a free coffee?

Salmonella outbreak: What we know so far

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:02:19 GMT

Hundreds have fallen ill with salmonella infections in an outbreak linked to imported eggs.

What does hot weather do to the body?

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:48:18 GMT

Hot weather during the summer can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm.

I went for a full body MOT and the results came as a shock

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:49:48 GMT

The private body scan industry is booming, but is it doing more harm than good?

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.

BBC News presenter reveals she has blood cancer

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 22:00:36 GMT

Maryam Moshiri tells the BBC she wanted to reveal her diagnosis to raise awareness about the cancer.

Why 'sleepmaxxing' could be making your sleep worse

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:41:27 GMT

The things you're doing to make your sleep better could actually be making your sleep worse.

A&E patients ending up in 'corridors and cupboards'

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:17:43 GMT

A consultant tells the Scotcast podcast that A&E patients ending in 'corridors and cupboards'.

Urine test can spot more than nine in 10 bladder cancers

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 01:39:17 GMT

The NHS has been trialling the test and says the results so far are truly promising.

Wellness habits you can start now - at no (or little) cost

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:23:55 GMT

Living a healthy life doesn't have to just be about pricey studio classes and luxury retreats.

Families hit by long waits for dementia diagnosis

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 01:46:08 GMT

Hundreds of families say they have had to wait months or even years for a dementia diagnosis for a loved one.

Resident doctors cancel strike after new offer from government

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:46:11 GMT

The walkout had been due to start at 07:00 BST on Monday and last until Friday.

Helping stoma bag users to swim with confidence

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 12:00:14 GMT

The Royal United Hospital in Bath has set up swimming sessions for stoma bag users.

'I have chronic cancer but I'm not going to die' - BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 12:51:12 GMT

Moshiri was diagnosed in November 2024 with polycythaemia vera (PV), after her GP noticed irregularities in blood test results.

Treatment involving patient's family cuts mental health hospital admissions, study finds

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:07:51 GMT

The approach focuses on the patient priorities, seeing the same clinicians, and involving people close to them.

'I'm on a mission to convince people to work less'

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:31:25 GMT

Jo Hooper spent her 20s chasing career success, but had two work-related breakdowns before she was 31.

Consultants and specialist doctors take strike action over pay

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:26:34 GMT

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

Flu vaccine rollout begins as NHS regroups from 'busiest summer'

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:33:07 GMT

This year's jab has a few tweaks, including changes to better combat last year's Super-K strain.

What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:43:26 GMT

Some UV exposure is essential for our wellbeing, but too much is damaging and can cause skin cancer.

New GP and wellbeing hub 'a major milestone'

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:59:36 GMT

The £21m hub brings together primary care, community wellbeing and leisure services in one location.

'World-first' vaccine designed by artificial intelligence

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:29:06 GMT

Cambridge scientists say they have, for the first time, tested a vaccine designed by AI.

Covid inquiry PPE report - key findings

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:45:44 GMT

What went wrong with the government's planning and buying of vital items like gloves and gowns that cost taxpayers billions of pounds.

Hypermobility - the little-known 'bendy disease' that causes pain and fatigue

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:13:52 GMT

The disorder may affect hundreds of thousands in the UK, but many face delays in getting a diagnosis.

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

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 01:00:09 GMT

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