BBC News

BBC News - Health

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

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.

'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.

'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.

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.

The struggle to get hold of medication in England is set to get worse

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:33:26 GMT

People living with conditions include heart problems, stroke risks, eye infections and bipolar are unable to get hold of the drugs they rely on.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Martha's Rule helplines get more than 1,700 calls from worried NHS staff

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:54:52 GMT

The scheme encourages staff and families to seek an urgent second opinion if they fear a patient's condition is worsening.

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 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".

'It's the most normal thing in the world to feel weird'

Fri, 01 May 2026 12:20:23 GMT

Bryony Gordon talks about her struggles with her mental health.

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.

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.

'We felt we had to miscarry again to get the help we needed'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:42:51 GMT

An early care scheme could prevent thousands of miscarriages a year.

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.

Women can wait years for an endometriosis diagnosis. New tech could change that

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:08:59 GMT

A new scan technique could spot areas of endometriosis missed by conventional scans, scientists say.

Inside Health

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

Women can wait years for an endometriosis diagnosis. New tech could change that

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:08:59 GMT

A new scan technique could spot areas of endometriosis missed by conventional scans, scientists say.

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.

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.

'I was slowly slipping into insanity because of PMDD'

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:47:12 GMT

Vicky Pattison talks about trying to get help for pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder.

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.

'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.

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.

The truth about taking testosterone

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:58:36 GMT

Dr Xand shares the latest information on testosterone

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.

11 cancers on the rise in young people - scientists find first clue why it's happening

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:40:52 GMT

Researchers stress that simple lifestyle changes can still significantly reduce the risk of cancer.

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.

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.

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.

Inside Health

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

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.

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.

Claimants in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder case rise to 7,000

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:11:20 GMT

The case, which opened in the High Court on Wednesday, originally involved 3,000 claimants and is set to become the largest product liability case in UK history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is vegan collagen?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:22:54 GMT

What's the latest on Collagen?

Early care scheme could prevent thousands of miscarriages a year

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:47:41 GMT

Current rules state that three unsuccessful pregnancies are needed to trigger NHS support - but a pilot project could bring about change.

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.

'Amazing' moment for communities given right to buy for the first time

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:00:41 GMT

Ministers say the new law in England gives power to local people who want to help others.