Health Policy Insight
Healthcare management online analysis and intelligence
The home of UK health policy

National News

June Dryburgh was asked to help out at an abortion clinic. She stayed for 47 years

Guardian – Society – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 16:00

For almost five decades, she witnessed first-hand how access to safe and legal abortion improves women’s lives. Now, she fears for the future

When June Dryburgh cleaned out her desk after almost five decades as a counsellor, it was a reminder that even though many of her consultations were brief, their impact was significant. “I found so many letters and cards. There was even a long letter from one woman who wanted to share just how much the care she received at the clinic had meant to her,” she says.

Dryburgh started at the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic (FCC) less than a decade after abortion was effectively decriminalised in Victoria, Australia. She saw first-hand how access to safe abortion changed lives, and personally helped more than 100,000 women. She was also witness to anti-choice campaigners’ relentless efforts to wind back this access, weathering daily harassment of staff and patients, which turned deadly when a gunman entered the clinic in 2001 and shot their security guard.

Continue reading...
Categories: National News

Don't be afraid to tell people how you feel - Windass

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 15:44
Former Bradford City striker Dean Windass opens up about dealing with mental health.
Categories: National News

Royal College of Psychiatrists says it cannot yet support assisted dying bill

Guardian – Society – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 14:08

College says it is neutral on assisted dying, but ‘many, many factors’ need addressing in proposal for England and Wales

The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has voiced its opposition to the assisted dying bill in England and Wales over “many, many factors”.

The college says it is neutral on the principle of assisted dying but it has listed nine substantial reasons it cannot back the bill – which returns to parliament on Friday – in its current form.

Continue reading...
Categories: National News

Early air pollution exposure affects health in adolescence, study finds

Guardian – Society – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:01

UCL study of 9,000 children also found marked inequality, with people from ethnic minority backgrounds having higher exposure risk

Young children who are exposed to high levels of air pollution are more likely to experience poor health outcomes in later adolescence, according to new research.

The study, conducted by academics at University College London, looked at data from 9,000 young people taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study born between 2000 and 2002 across the UK, measuring their exposure to various types of air pollutants including PM2.5, PM10 and NO2.

Continue reading...
Categories: National News

5 Live News Specials

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 07:30
That Time of the Month with Naga Munchetty, Dr Nighat Arif & Dr Christine Ekechi.
Categories: National News

Helping on the farm reaps mental health benefits

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 06:43
Farm Care has "seen an impact" on youngsters' mental health on east Surrey farms.
Categories: National News

For, against, undecided: Three GPs give their views on assisted dying

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 01:58
GPs from different areas of England tell us how they feel about plans to legalise assisted dying.
Categories: National News

GPs split over assisted dying plans, BBC research suggests

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 01:37
GPs are deeply divided over assisted dying with personal beliefs shaping their views, BBC research reveals.
Categories: National News

Government has no clear plan for NHS England abolition, say MPs

BBC News – Health - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 00:15
Cross-party group of MPs say move is causing uncertainty at time when NHS is under huge pressure.
Categories: National News

'Frustration is a huge part of my life with ADHD'

BBC News – Health - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 16:44
Henry has ADHD and struggles with everyday tasks and remembering appointments.
Categories: National News

New hope for patients with breast cancer gene

BBC News – Health - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 16:04
Treating patients with a drug before surgery greatly reduced the chances of the cancer coming back, a small trial found.
Categories: National News

Charity boss slams 'reprehensible' health trusts

BBC News – Health - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 12:46
NHS trusts "try to stop" coroners issuing Prevention of Future Death reports, an inquiry hears.
Categories: National News

Child obesity clinics seeing BMIs over 50

BBC News – Health - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 08:48
Many are from the most deprived areas, and a significant number are neurodivergent or have other health conditions, a study says.
Categories: National News

Care providers say overseas worker crackdown 'short-sighted'

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 10:26
Many care workers say it is a rewarding job, so the task is how to get more people in the UK to apply.
Categories: National News

Rugby star part of campaign to better mental health

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 06:33
The England fly-half will be at the University of Surrey promoting a new set of wellbeing exercises.
Categories: National News

Doctor accused of falsifying artificial mesh records

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 06:28
Tony Dixon was suspended after mesh surgery was found to have caused harm to hundreds of patients.
Categories: National News

My bowel had to be removed after years of constipation

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 06:14
Kathryn Nicklas said embarrassment as a teenager meant she had struggled to advocate for herself.
Categories: National News

Rugby club hosts mental health day for pupils

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 05:26
The BBC Radio Northampton Headfest event offers children the chance to learn, relax and get moving.
Categories: National News

From Kardashian popcorn to pancakes - is the protein health craze worth it?

BBC News – Health - Mon, 05/12/2025 - 01:04
A rising number of food products contain claims about being a source of protein or being rich in it.
Categories: National News

'WeightWatchers set me up to fail' - Why diet industry is losing to jabs like Ozempic

BBC News – Health - Sat, 05/10/2025 - 16:52
As WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy, we examine the competition it faces from weight loss jabs.
Categories: National News
Syndicate content