Two cannabis-based medicines, used to treat epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, have been approved for use by the NHS in England. It follows new guidelines from the drugs advisory body NICE, which looked at products for several conditions. Charities have welcomed the move, although some campaigners who have been fighting for access to the drugs have […]
Two people are being treated in Scotland for the potentially deadly diphtheria infection. NHS Lothian has confirmed the two cases are related and both patients are thought to be in hospital in Edinburgh. The health board said those involved had recently returned from overseas. Public health experts said the likelihood of any additional cases was […]
The Conservatives say they will deliver 6,000 more GPs in England by 2024-25 to increase appointments for patients, if they win the election. They claim they will reach that target by training 3,000 new GPs and finding another 3,000 through international recruitment and better retention. However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a previous Tory pledge […]
Patients with severe opioid addiction are being given brain implants to help reduce their cravings, in the first trial of its kind in the US. Gerod Buckhalter, 33, who has struggled with substance abuse for more than a decade with many relapses and overdoses, has already had the surgery. Lead doctor Ali Rezai described the […]
The Conservatives say they will make it easier for doctors and nurses from around the world to work in the UK after Brexit, if they win the election. The party would introduce an “NHS visa” as part of a promised “points-based immigration system”. But Labour said the policy was “full of holes,” with nothing to […]
There will be a delay in some batches of nasal-spray flu vaccine being delivered to schools in England, it has been announced. Public Health England said some schools would need to reschedule plans for vaccinating children in mid-November. Affected children in at-risk groups are advised to go to their GP, where they will be given […]
The UK has fewer doctors and nurses and poorer access to elderly long-term care than other rich nations, a study shows. The OECD review also warned that many Brits were living unhealthy lives with high rates of drinking and obesity. But it praised the “strong access” to health care delivered by the NHS, saying there […]
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A DIY home urine or swab test could potentially help more women discover whether they are at risk of cervical cancer, researchers say. The new method could be used as an alternative to the smear test and would not require a visit to the doctor. Scientists at Queen Mary University of London asked 600 women […]
Media playback is unsupported on your device Parties should not use the NHS as “a political weapon” in the election campaign, health service bosses say. NHS Providers chief Chris Hopson said “over-dramatising NHS difficulties” or making “disingenuous” funding claims did the service “no favours”. Both the Tories and Labour are vowing to spend billions to […]
If a young person lost their sight, you might think it would be straightforward enough to get special needs funding. But Kezia, from Leyton in east London, has been struggling to get support for a specialist place. Now aged 23, she began to have trouble with her sight when she was taking her GCSEs. At […]
Yoga’s popularity does not look like it will wane any time soon. Its physical benefits for flexibility and balance, as well as its spiritual connection, mean it’s practised by millions across the world. And that means a need for more and more yoga teachers. But now, there is a warning they may be putting their […]
HuffPost is now part of the Verizon Media family. We (Verizon Media) and our partners need your consent to access your device, set cookies, and use your data, including your location, to understand your interests, provide relevant ads and measure their effectiveness. Verizon Media will also provide relevant ads to you on our partners’ products. […]
Work to clean up a hospital bacteria outbreak inadvertently led to more contamination, new documents reveal. Brain surgery was postponed at Edinburgh’s Western General in March after a small number of patients contracted the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bug from showers and taps in a ward. A decontamination programme was ordered by NHS Lothian. But documents released […]
All those affected by the contaminated blood scandal should receive the same financial support, no matter where they live in the UK, says the judge in charge of the inquiry. Sir Brian Langstaff said there was “no proper justification” for the “grinding hardship of many”. Nearly 3,000 people died in the biggest treatment disaster in […]