Jane Kirby

Research using Canadian data suggests that 23% to 38% of cardiovascular disease cases and deaths may be attributable to consumption of ultra-processed foods, with potential prevention of thousands of cases and deaths if intake were reduced. The findings support stronger public health measures such as food taxes, labeling and marketing restrictions, though experts note uncertainties and debate the extent to which processing itself, rather than high levels of sugar, fat and salt, drives the risk. Critics argue that established nutritional harms explain most of the observed effects, while stroke advocates emphasise the influence of the food environment and the need for government and industry action to make healthier food more accessible.

Baroness Valerie Amos’s rapid review of maternity and neonatal care in England calls for a national maternity commissioner with legal powers, accountability to Parliament and responsibility for driving systemic reform. The review found fragmented governance, workforce shortages, unsafe environments, poor communication, inadequate triage, weak investigations and widespread experiences of racism, discrimination, medical misogyny and avoidable harm. It recommends independent investigations for families, national triage standards, stronger regulatory oversight, improved staffing and leadership, better consent and post-birth debriefs, and treating equality and patient voices as critical safety issues. The findings follow major investigations into maternity failures at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

An interim report from Baroness Amos’s National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation finds deep-rooted failures across NHS maternity and neonatal services in England. Families and staff reported understaffing, capacity pressures, delayed assessments and procedures, poor records, weak leadership, inadequate accountability, discrimination and unsafe facilities. Black and Asian women, Muslim families and people in deprived areas were reported to experience worse outcomes. The investigation also found poor bereavement care and uncertainty over whether some babies were born alive, causing lasting trauma. The public evidence-gathering process remains open until March 17, with final recommendations expected in spring.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned travellers to Cape Verde about gastrointestinal infections after identifying 112 shigella cases and 43 salmonella cases linked to travel there since October 2025. Most shigella cases involved the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas. Several British holidaymakers have died after severe illnesses, while Irwin Mitchell says it represents families of six deceased people and more than 1,500 people who became ill. Families have raised concerns about resort hygiene and are pursuing claims against TUI. Travellers are advised to wash their hands, drink bottled or boiled water, avoid unsafe ice and salads, and eat freshly prepared, fully cooked food.

NHS England has announced the first conditions to be supported by NHS Online, a planned virtual hospital service expected to launch in 2026. Following a GP referral, patients in England will be able to consult specialists by video through the NHS app about conditions including severe menopause symptoms, endometriosis, fibroids, prostate enlargement, raised PSA levels, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, iron-deficiency anaemia and inflammatory bowel disease. Tests and procedures will still take place locally, while monitoring can be conducted remotely. Patients may choose an in-person appointment instead, and NHS England says the service could improve convenience, speed up treatment and reduce waiting lists.

Medical royal colleges representing more than 90,000 health professionals are urging pregnant women in England to receive flu vaccinations as soon as possible. NHS data shows flu hospital admissions remain at record seasonal levels, while pregnant women and infants face elevated risks of serious complications. Doctors and midwives say the vaccine is safe at every stage of pregnancy, protects newborns through transferred maternal antibodies and remains beneficial later in the flu season. Pharmacies and GP and maternity services are reported to have vaccine availability, while child vaccination is also encouraged to reduce serious infections and pressure on the NHS.

A UK clinical trial will compare robotic, AI-assisted Aquablation with traditional radical prostatectomy for men with early-stage, localized prostate cancer. The technique uses a high-pressure waterjet and real-time ultrasound mapping to remove cancerous tissue while attempting to protect nerves and muscles involved in sexual function and bladder control. Sponsored by Procept BioRobotics and backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the trial will recruit 280 patients across seven countries, with four UK centres involved. The launch comes amid debate over prostate cancer screening: the UK National Screening Committee has advised against routine PSA screening for most men, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reviewing the draft recommendation and awaiting evidence from research combining PSA tests with other methods such as rapid MRI.