Health - Daily Politics

A damning investigation into NHS England maternity services has revealed widespread and "unacceptable" failures, including shocking cases of racism, bullying, and a lack of transparency following baby loss. The report highlights systemic problems throughout the care system, from staffing shortages to a culture of defensiveness that leaves families feeling betrayed.

The investigation uncovered numerous instances of cruel and insensitive comments directed at vulnerable families. In one case, a consultant reportedly berated a bereaved mother with the words, "Are you stupid?" In another, a family leaving a hospital after a baby loss was supposedly told to "cover his face because you don't ...

The UK government has committed to a package of reforms aimed at enhancing career progression and pay for nursing staff in England, following ongoing discussions with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The new measures, announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, include a pledge to prioritise graduate nurse pay in upcoming NHS structural reform negotiations.

At the heart of the announcement is a requirement for every NHS nurse paid at band 5 to have their role reviewed by their employer. The review aims to ensure job descriptions and pay bands accurately reflect the duties staff actually perform, addressing ...

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 36 clinical cases of infants falling ill with symptoms linked to a major recall of specific batches of SMA baby formula. The affected products are suspected of being contaminated with a toxin, prompting an urgent public health investigation and a nationwide safety alert to parents and caregivers.

Infants who consumed the recalled SMA formula have exhibited symptoms consistent with toxin exposure, leading to hospital assessments. Health authorities are actively investigating the source of the contamination within the supply chain to determine the full scope of impacted batches. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding ...

The 2025–26 influenza season in the United States continues to be marked by elevated activity, with millions of illnesses and rising hospitalisations reported across the country. Nationwide data suggests flu-related medical visits and emergency treatments remain at historically high levels, driven by a mutated strain of influenza A(H3N2) circulating widely. Health officials emphasise that symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue and body aches are common this season and that vaccination offers important protection against severe outcomes.

In New York City, health authorities recently noted early signs of decline in reported flu cases, but stressed that activity remains very high compared with ...

The US government has introduced a revised food pyramid as part of updated dietary guidelines, marking a shift in how official nutrition advice is presented to the public.

The new model places greater emphasis on whole foods and nutrient density, while reducing the prominence of some items that featured more centrally in previous guidance. Officials said the aim was to “flip the narrative” on diet by focusing less on calorie counting and more on food quality and metabolic health.

The changes have drawn mixed reactions from health professionals. Some experts welcomed the move as a clearer and more practical approach to healthy ...

Resident doctors in England have voted to proceed with strike action after rejecting the government’s latest offer aimed at averting industrial action, escalating tensions in the NHS at one of the most pressured times of the year.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said a clear majority of members voted against the proposed deal, which would have delayed strike action until after Christmas and included changes to training and career progression but did not meet doctors’ demands on pay. As a result, strikes are now set to go ahead later this week.

The government expressed disappointment at the decision, warning that walkouts would place additional ...

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on resident doctors in England to accept a government offer aimed at averting a planned strike next week, warning that industrial action amid a severe winter flu surge would place the National Health Service (NHS) under grave strain.

Starmer described potential strikes over pay and conditions as “beyond belief” given the pressures facing the health service, which officials say is dealing with record levels of flu cases — quickly rising hospitalisations and stretched resources reminiscent of the pandemic era.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is currently putting a new government deal to its members in a vote this weekend. ...