Storm Newton

Amber heat health alerts are in force across most of England, with a yellow alert in the North East, as temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-30s in some areas. The alerts warn health, social care and government services that heat could affect the wider population. Older people, young children, people with chronic illnesses and those taking multiple medicines face the greatest risks, including dehydration, heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke. NHS guidance recommends staying out of the sun, avoiding strenuous activity and alcohol, drinking cool fluids, and keeping homes cool.

The UK has become the first European country to approve Eli Lilly’s once-daily GLP-1 pill orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo, for weight management and improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. The prescription-only medicine is intended for eligible adults alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, but it can cause gastrointestinal side effects and is not yet available through the NHS. NICE will assess whether it should receive NHS funding, while the MHRA will continue monitoring its safety and effectiveness.

The UK has become the first European country to approve Eli Lilly’s once-daily GLP-1 pill orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo, for weight management and improving blood sugar in adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. The medicine is intended for eligible people alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, but can cause gastrointestinal side effects and is available only by prescription. It is not yet offered on the NHS, pending an evaluation by NICE, while the MHRA continues to monitor its safety and effectiveness.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has authorised Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo, making it the first European approval for the once-daily weight-loss and type 2 diabetes pill. The prescription-only medication is intended for adults with obesity or overweight alongside a weight-related condition, with dosage increased monthly. It is not yet available on the NHS because NICE must first assess it.

A publicly funded randomized trial led by King’s College London found that a single 25mg dose of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, improved treatment-resistant depression more effectively than placebo. After three weeks, 43% of participants receiving psilocybin met the threshold for treatment response and 40% were in remission, compared with 3% in the placebo group; remission remained sustained at six weeks. Researchers said responses varied, but the findings support larger trials and suggest the therapy can be safely delivered in calm, supported community settings.

A publicly funded King's College London trial involving 60 people with treatment-resistant depression found that a single dose of psilocybin led 40% of participants to remission within three weeks, compared with 3% in the placebo group. Treatment response reached 43% at three weeks and 56% at six weeks, prompting researcher James Rucker to call for larger trials in community settings.

A US study of nearly 53,000 people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease found that patients starting Mounjaro, or tirzepatide, had a 2.9% one-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with 4.4% among those taking sitagliptin. The findings suggest Mounjaro reduced heart-attack risk by about a third, prevented one major cardiovascular event for every 70 patients treated, and was also associated with fewer infection-related hospital admissions and deaths. No meaningful reduction in strokes was observed. The report also notes separate evidence and regulator reports linking GLP-1 drugs, including Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy, with hair loss.

A US study published in The BMJ found that type 2 diabetes patients with heart disease who took Mounjaro were 33 per cent less likely to experience a heart attack than those taking sitagliptin. Among nearly 53,000 participants, major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 2.9 per cent of Mounjaro users compared with 4.4 per cent of the sitagliptin group after one year, equivalent to preventing one event for every 70 patients. Mounjaro was also associated with fewer infection-related hospital admissions and deaths from any cause, but it did not meaningfully reduce strokes. Separate research has linked GLP-1 drugs, including Mounjaro, to hair loss, with UK regulators receiving hundreds of related reports.

A University of Cambridge study published in the British Journal of Cancer suggests that current NICE criteria for GP referrals may miss up to 95% of under-50 women who have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer and later develop the disease within 10 years. The Boadicea risk assessment tool, which combines family, reproductive, lifestyle and genetic factors, identified eight times as many women who subsequently developed breast cancer. Researchers are calling for the criteria to be reconsidered, while NICE says multifactorial risk models could improve the identification of women at increased risk.

A University of Cambridge analysis of 1,258 women under 50 found that NICE’s current family-history referral criteria identified only 4.4% of those who later developed breast cancer within 10 years, potentially missing up to 95%. The Boadicea multifactorial risk model, which considers family history, reproductive history, lifestyle and genetics, identified nearly eight times as many women who developed the disease, but would refer a substantially larger share of all women for further assessment. Experts support better early identification but warn that genetic testing and broader referrals would require significant NHS resources and could cause anxiety or inequity. NICE said the evidence does not yet justify changing its guidelines, though it will review further data.

UCL professor Dame Uta Frith argues that the autism spectrum has broadened from a narrowly defined clinical condition into a diverse and culturally amplified category, contributing to rising demand, self-diagnosis and possible misdiagnosis. She calls for more precise diagnostic criteria and potentially splitting the spectrum to ensure people receive support suited to their needs, including therapies for sensory issues, anxiety, depression and burnout. The National Autistic Society disputes the framing of “milder traits,” stressing that autism involves distinct combinations of strengths and challenges and that the priority should be better access to quality assessments and tailored support for all autistic people.

Autism expert Dame Uta Frith warns that the autism spectrum has expanded so broadly that it may now encompass a vague range of traits, potentially causing misdiagnosis and poorly targeted care. She attributes this partly to social media, simplified ideas about neurodiversity, self-reporting and recognition of masking, and calls for more precise diagnostic categories or a division of the spectrum. Mel Merritt of the National Autistic Society counters that autism is unique to each individual and argues that the priority should be better access to assessments and support for all autistic people.

A UK baby, Theo Savage, became the first child from the United Kingdom and only the third worldwide to undergo fetal surgery for gastroschisis, a birth defect in which the intestines develop outside the body. The operation was performed at Texas Children’s Hospital when Theo was 26 weeks in gestation, through a clinical trial involving Great Ormond Street Hospital and KU Leuven. He was later born at full term in Texas and is reported to be doing remarkably well. Researchers hope the trial will show that fetal surgery can improve outcomes in severe cases and eventually become a standard treatment available in the UK.

A review of 47 trials involving more than 6,200 people found that antihistamines provide no clinically meaningful improvement in eczema severity, itchiness, sleep disturbance or flare-ups compared with placebo, while sedating first-generation drugs may cause cognitive impairment and other harms. Researchers say the findings support ending routine antihistamine use and updating eczema guidelines. Separately, Heriot-Watt University has received more than £475,000 for clinical research into a vibroacoustic sensor designed to measure changes beneath the skin and improve eczema diagnosis, particularly for patients with darker skin tones.

A review of 47 trials involving more than 6,200 patients found that antihistamines provide a clinically insignificant reduction in eczema severity and itching, with little evidence that they prevent sleep disruption or flare-ups. First-generation antihistamines may also cause cognitive impairment and other side effects. Despite UK guidance advising against routine use, around one in five eczema patients reportedly use the drugs, prompting experts to call for updated medical recommendations.

An analysis of dietary data from more than 200,000 people in the United States suggests that overall diet quality may matter more to health than the degree to which foods are processed. While poor diets were associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and death, the risks were primarily linked to low nutritional quality rather than ultra-processing alone. Researchers caution that blanket advice to avoid all ultra-processed foods could exclude beneficial options such as canned beans and fortified cereals, recommending a focus on nutrient-dense foods and a healthy overall diet.

Research involving more than 200,000 people across three long-term US studies found that overall diet quality was more important to health outcomes than the degree of food processing. Participants eating healthier plant-based diets had lower risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and death, regardless of whether their foods were ultra-processed or minimally processed. Researchers said nutritious products such as fortified cereals, plant-based milk and yogurts, whole grain bread, canned beans and canned fruit can contribute to a healthy diet, while advising people to avoid all ultra-processed food could lead them to replace beneficial foods with less healthy minimally processed options. The findings will be presented at Nutrition 2026.

A genetic study examining the DNA of more than two million people worldwide identified new risk factors associated with fibromyalgia, including a strong link to the HTT gene, which is also connected to Huntington’s disease. Researchers from institutions including King’s College London, the University of Toronto and Fred Hutch Cancer Centre say the findings indicate that fibromyalgia involves biological problems in pain processing. Further research is needed to understand its triggers, effects on neural tissue and potential treatments.

A large international study analyzing genetic data from more than 2.5 million adults, including about 55,000 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, identified DNA variants in 26 genomic regions associated with the disorder. The findings support the view that fibromyalgia involves biologically based problems in pain processing rather than being purely psychological. Researchers also found links with the HTT gene, which is associated with Huntington’s disease, and genetic overlaps with conditions including lower back pain and irritable bowel syndrome. The results could guide new treatments, potentially including therapies emerging from Huntington’s disease research, although further work is needed to understand environmental triggers and changes in neural tissue.

A new machine that keeps donated lungs warm, ventilated and supplied with a blood-plasma-like fluid outside the body is set to be used by the NHS. The technology could help address the UK’s shortage of transplantable lungs: only 23% of donated lungs meeting suitability criteria are currently used, while the machine could potentially recover four in five of those otherwise discarded. NICE has issued draft guidance recommending use for four years to gather evidence on its benefits and cost-effectiveness, offering hope to about 170 people awaiting lung transplants, including six children.

A machine that keeps donated lungs warm, ventilated and supplied with a plasma-like fluid outside the body is expected to be introduced on the UK NHS. It could make usable around four in five lungs that are currently rejected, potentially benefiting about 170 people awaiting transplants, including six children. NICE draft guidance recommends using the technology for four years while gathering more evidence about its benefits and cost-effectiveness.

A machine that preserves donated lungs outside the body is set to be used across the NHS under draft guidance from NICE. The system warms lungs to body temperature, circulates a plasma-like fluid and ventilates them, allowing clinicians to treat infections, remove excess fluid, reinflate collapsed areas and assess organ function before transplantation. Only 23% of lungs meeting transplant suitability criteria are currently used, while about 170 people in the UK are waiting for a lung transplant. NICE estimates the technology could rescue four in five currently unused donated lungs, but recommends a four-year period of use to gather evidence on clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness. The move is intended to reduce regional variation in access and give more patients a chance of receiving a transplant.

A UCL study of 2,759 people from the UK’s 1946 birth cohort found that persistent low income and financial hardship during early and middle adulthood were associated with poorer cognitive performance and worse brain health at age 53. The relationship was particularly strong among men, people from disadvantaged childhoods and those with a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers suggest that chronic stress and reduced cognitive bandwidth may help explain the association, while Alzheimer’s Society said reducing poverty and wider health inequalities could potentially delay or prevent some future dementia cases.

Eleven-year-old Catherine L’Estrange from London has become the first UK patient to receive gene therapy targeting the BBS10 mutation associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare condition that can cause progressive blindness. Doctors injected healthy gene copies into one of her eyes at St Helier Hospital, aiming to preserve or possibly improve her vision. Early feedback from patients treated in the UK and Canada has been encouraging, particularly in low light, but specialists caution that it may take years to determine the treatment’s full effectiveness. Catherine and her family hope the therapy will help her retain independence and continue reading, while clinicians expect the approach could benefit more children with the same mutation.

A University College London study of 2,759 people in the UK found that persistent low income was associated with poorer cognitive performance at age 53 and worse brain health between ages 69 and 71. The association was stronger among men, people who experienced childhood disadvantage and those with a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers suggest that chronic financial stress may impair cognitive systems over time, while reducing poverty and supporting people facing hardship could help prevent future dementia cases.

Eleven-year-old Catherine L’Estrange from London has become the first patient in the UK to receive gene therapy for Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare condition that causes progressive sight loss. Surgeons at St Helier Hospital injected healthy copies of a gene into her retina in an effort to stabilise or improve her vision. Catherine hopes the treatment will allow her to continue reading, although doctors say several years will be needed to assess its long-term effectiveness.

The NHS is rolling out fampridine, also known as Fampyra, in England for eligible people with multiple sclerosis who experience walking difficulties. Around 5,000 patients are expected to qualify in the first year, with treatment offered to people within specified disability levels and continued only if walking improves after a two- to four-week trial. Clinical trials found improved walking speed in 43% of patients. Patients and the MS Society welcomed the decision, while stressing that consistent access across England will be essential.

Around 5,000 people with multiple sclerosis in England are expected to become eligible in the first year for fampridine, a twice-daily pill being rolled out through the NHS. Sold as Fampyra, the drug is designed to improve walking by restoring electrical signals along damaged nerves. Eligible patients with EDSS scores between four and seven will receive a two- to four-week trial, continuing treatment only if their walking ability improves, with regular reviews thereafter.

A US observational analysis of 40,703 people found that GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, were associated with substantially lower risks of alcohol-related hospital admissions than other diabetes or obesity treatments. The reductions were particularly large among people with alcohol problems and those with type 2 diabetes or obesity. Researchers said the findings suggest a possible role for GLP-1 drugs in treating alcohol use disorder, but experts cautioned that the evidence is limited, the treatments are expensive, and differences between patients may not be fully accounted for.

An analysis of 40,703 people who began taking semaglutide or tirzepatide between 2018 and 2024 found that GLP-1 drugs were associated with a 26% lower risk of alcohol-related hospital admissions than other diabetes medications. The reduction was greater among people using the drugs for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, or obesity alongside alcohol problems. Researchers suggest the medications may have a role in treating alcohol use disorder, but experts caution that the observational design, need for further research, and high cost limit the conclusions.

A study of health insurance data from more than 400,000 women found that those with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), face roughly four times the risk of developing heart disease. The elevated risk remained after accounting for factors including high blood pressure and diabetes. Researchers called for better physician education, patient awareness and annual monitoring to support earlier cardiovascular prevention.

A US analysis of health insurance data found that women aged 18 to 50 with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome) had four times the risk of heart disease compared with women without the condition, even after accounting for high blood pressure and diabetes. Researchers urged better cardiovascular screening, physician education and patient awareness, and called for further research into risks through menopause and the effects of GLP-1 drugs and hormonal contraception. UK guidance recommends regular monitoring, but the condition remains frequently underdiagnosed and inconsistently managed.

A woman diagnosed with glioblastoma sold her home to access experimental treatments unavailable on the NHS after standard therapy failed. She has funded hyperthermia therapy, private consultations, repurposed medication and supplements, and is preparing for possible immunotherapy in Germany. Brain Tumour Research warns that many patients face similar financial burdens and urges increased government investment in research and clinical trials. The Department of Health and Social Care states that improving cancer care is a priority and highlights ongoing efforts to advance treatments through national research initiatives.

A UCL study funded by Cancer Research UK found that 23.1% of current smokers had bought tobacco from illicit sources in the previous six months, up from 12.2% in 2023. The increase is linked partly to cost-of-living pressures, although the researchers stress that it does not necessarily mean the illicit tobacco market has grown because the survey did not measure purchase frequency or volume. Experts called for stronger enforcement, particularly after many 16- and 17-year-olds reported buying tobacco from ordinary retailers, and urged the government to support the Tobacco and Vapes Act with sustained efforts to reduce illegal sales and help people quit smoking.

Regular participation in cultural activities such as visiting museums, galleries and cinemas is associated with slower physiological ageing among adults aged 50 and over in England. An analysis of nearly 2,000 participants found that those engaging in cultural outings every few months had a physiological age about three years lower than less frequent participants. Researchers say cultural engagement may promote healthy longevity through physical, cognitive, emotional and social stimulation, with an impact potentially comparable to frequent exercise, while improved access to cultural events could expand these health benefits.

Regular participation in cultural activities such as cinema visits, museum trips and concerts is associated with slower biological ageing, according to research involving nearly 2,000 participants in England’s English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants attending cultural events every few months had a physiological age about three years lower than those engaging less often. The researchers suggest that improving access to cultural venues and events could support healthy ageing, with benefits potentially comparable to frequent physical activity.

Research using data from nearly 2,000 older adults in England links regular engagement in cultural activities such as museums, concerts, and cinema visits with slower biological ageing. Participants who took part in cultural outings every few months showed a physiological age about three years younger than less frequent participants. The study suggests cultural engagement is a modifiable behaviour with health impacts comparable to regular exercise and recommends improving access to cultural venues. Additional UCL research supports recognising arts and cultural participation as a health‑promoting behaviour that provides physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits.

North West Ambulance Service is investigating whether 10 staff members improperly accessed the medical records of victims of the July 2024 Southport attack. Families and survivor Leanne Lucas criticized the lack of notification and described the alleged snooping as a serious breach of trust. The case follows findings that 48 staff at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group accessed victims’ records without justification, alongside similar incidents at other NHS trusts. NWAS said it would contact potentially affected patients and families and treat any inappropriate access seriously.

A two-year trial involving more than 1,000 adults aged 60 to 77 across 12 Latin American countries found that a structured programme combining supervised exercise, personalised brain-healthy dietary advice, social activities, computer-based brain training and health monitoring improved cognition, episodic memory, executive function and processing speed among older people at risk of dementia. The findings suggest that standardised, non-drug interventions can be adapted to different cultural settings while producing measurable cognitive benefits.

Hundreds of thousands of eligible teenagers and students in England are being urged to receive the MenB vaccine after serious university-linked outbreaks, including a severe incident in Kent. The one-off programme covers Year 13 pupils aged 17 and 18 and under-25s attending university or residential further education, with two doses given at least 28 days apart from 20 July. First-year university students face about seven times the MenB risk of similar-aged non-students because of close-contact living conditions.

Eligible Year 13 pupils aged 17 and 18, along with under-25s starting university or residential further education in England, can book a two-dose meningitis B vaccination course at pharmacies. The programme follows serious outbreaks, including two teenage deaths in Kent, and reflects the substantially higher MenB risk faced by first-year university students living in close quarters. Health officials and the Meningitis Research Foundation urge young people to complete both doses before starting university, while government departments launch a taskforce to improve uptake and advisers consider expanding the programme.

NHS data shows that bowel cancer screening uptake is substantially lower among people in their 50s than among older adults in England. Only 56.2% of 54-year-olds completed at-home FIT kits in 2024–25, compared with 73.5% of people aged 70 to 74, while overall uptake fell to 65.2%. Health officials and cancer charities are urging eligible people to return the simple home tests, which helped identify an average of 100 cancers per week. Joanne Vernon’s diagnosis of early-stage bowel cancer despite having no symptoms illustrates the potential benefits of screening.

A Royal College of Physicians review of 28 interstitial lung disease cases treated by Dr Veronica Varney at St Helier Hospital between 2019 and 2022 found that three patients died without receiving treatments that might have extended their lives, while 12 others suffered permanent or long-term harm. The review identified delayed treatment, missed specialist referrals, off-label therapies and non-evidence-based advice, including recommendations to avoid flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and rapeseed oil. The hospital group apologized, accepted the review’s recommendations and said it would reassess all relevant patients treated by Varney. She was dismissed in 2023, referred to the General Medical Council and remains under investigation with restrictions on her practice.

Senior doctors in England backed strike action after a British Medical Association ballot showed 76 percent support among consultants, giving the union a year-long mandate for industrial action over pay. BMA leaders warned of risks to the NHS if consultant pay and conditions are not addressed and urged the incoming prime minister to act. A related ballot of SAS doctors fell short of the turnout threshold despite strong support for strikes. The development follows resident doctors accepting a government offer that includes a pay uplift and expanded training places.

Wegovy, described as the UK’s first approved GLP-1 weight-loss tablet, has become available in selected pharmacies through weight-management programmes. Initial 1.5mg and 4mg doses are being offered to eligible patients after regulatory approval. Pharmacies expect strong demand, while the National Pharmacy Association has warned that the NHS rollout is slow and advised patients to obtain the medicine only from regulated pharmacies because of counterfeit-pill concerns.

Wegovy tablets, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, are becoming available through eligible weight-management programmes at selected UK pharmacies after approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The National Pharmacy Association says many pharmacies expect substantial demand and more enquiries, particularly from patients who cannot or do not want injectable treatment. Pharmacies are also concerned that tablets could fuel counterfeit sales, prompting advice to obtain the medicine only from regulated providers following a consultation. The treatment is not suitable for everyone and is intended to complement sustained dietary and lifestyle changes.

The NHS will add an AI triage tool to its app, expanding it to more than 200,000 patients within 12 months and making it available to all users by April 2028. The tool will adapt questions to patients’ responses and direct them to appropriate care, such as a GP, pharmacy or emergency department; a Sussex trial reduced telephone appointment queues by 29%. A separate AI note-taking system that transcribes consultations is being rolled out nationally after trials found clinicians spent nearly 25% more time with patients. The £10 billion technology investment has been welcomed as a route to better access and lower administrative burdens, but nursing leaders and opposition politicians warn that basic IT infrastructure, funding, accuracy, privacy, bias controls and human oversight must be addressed.

Professor Henrietta Hughes is urging the UK Government to act on recommendations in her report for compensation and support for people harmed by pelvic mesh implants and sodium valproate. The report proposed a two-stage redress scheme, including interim payments of £25,000 from 2025, but the Government has not issued a substantive response. Campaigners and Epilepsy Action say affected families have waited years for recognition and financial support, while the Department of Health and Social Care says it is considering the recommendations and will provide an update.

The UK government is facing renewed pressure to establish compensation for people harmed by pelvic mesh implants and sodium valproate. Henrietta Hughes, author of a report recommending a two-stage redress scheme with interim payments from 2025, has criticized the lack of visible progress and written to 10 Downing Street seeking a response by July 16. The Department of Health says it is considering the report's recommendations.

Breast cancer cases among women under 50 rose by 5% in one year, while diagnoses among people under 30 increased by 78% between 2001 and 2019. CoppaFeel! says younger people with symptoms are routinely dismissed and is calling for a seven-minute risk assessment covering factors such as family history to identify those who may need earlier or more frequent screening. The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged delays in diagnosis and care and plans to introduce personalised care plans from 2026 and remove age-based barriers to clinical trials.

Breast cancer cases among people under 50 have risen, including a 5% increase among 25- to 49-year-olds between 2022 and 2023, while diagnoses among under-30s rose sharply over the longer term. CoppaFeel! says younger patients are routinely dismissed and are more likely to receive late-stage diagnoses. The charity is calling for a seven-minute risk assessment covering family history, genetic factors and breast density, routine breast-awareness checks in NHS appointments, and greater inclusion of under-50s in clinical trials. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged unacceptable delays and said its National Cancer Plan will provide personalised support from 2026 while removing age-based barriers to clinical trials.

A Danish study of more than 800,000 pregnancies found that bending forward, walking and standing for extended periods during early pregnancy were associated with increased miscarriage risk, especially among women previously absent from work. Researchers said workplace guidance should consider reducing these activities while further research is conducted. Separately, research indicated that testing after a first miscarriage, rather than the current NHS practice of waiting until the third, could potentially prevent more than 10,000 pregnancy losses annually in the UK.

Thousands of UK patients who received Orthofix’s M6-C artificial cervical disc may require monitoring and potentially complex surgery after the device was linked to osteolysis, a condition involving progressive bone loss, and withdrawn from sale globally. Sophia Harrison, who received the implant in 2019, developed a recurring abscess and may need additional discs removed and a metal rod inserted. The MHRA said there was a delay in communicating the risks in the UK and advised annual monitoring, while Penningtons Manches Cooper is investigating possible legal claims on behalf of affected patients.

A Danish analysis of more than 800,000 pregnancies found that occupational forward bending, walking and standing during early pregnancy were associated with higher miscarriage risk, with the strongest association linked to bending forward. Researchers cautioned that confounding factors and uncertainty at high exposure levels mean the findings require replication and further analysis, but said they support considering early pregnancy in workplace guidance. The report also highlights calls from Tommy's for the NHS to offer investigations after a first miscarriage rather than usually waiting until a third.

Amber heat health alerts were issued across several regions of England as temperatures were forecast to reach 32–33°C. The alerts indicate that heat could affect the entire health service and put the wider population at risk. Older people, young children, people with chronic illnesses, those taking multiple medicines and others with specific health or dependency issues are particularly vulnerable. Recommended precautions include avoiding direct sun and strenuous activity, staying hydrated, keeping homes cool and recognizing and treating heat exhaustion promptly to prevent heatstroke.

Tony Newitt, a 71-year-old cancer survivor from Warwickshire, was left paralysed by Guillain-Barré syndrome weeks after chemotherapy. After receiving five intravenous immunoglobulin infusions and five plasma exchanges, followed by extensive physiotherapy, he recovered sufficiently to walk out of hospital despite being told he might never walk again. Newitt and his daughter Lauren Marshall are urging more people to donate plasma. NHS Blood and Transplant says UK-donated plasma has provided immunoglobulin medicines to more than 3,200 patients since March, but currently meets only 23% of NHS demand and aims to reach 35% by 2030, leaving the country reliant on imports.

A one-off MenB vaccination programme will offer around one million people considered at highest risk two doses of GSK’s Bexsero vaccine. Eligible groups include Year 13 pupils born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 and people under 25 starting university or residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026. The first dose is due from 20 July and the second in August, at least four weeks later. The programme follows MenB outbreaks in Kent, Dorset and Reading, and aims to protect young people during the period when social and university-related exposure increases. Returning students, postgraduate students, those aged 25 or over and students already beyond their first university year are excluded.

A study tracking 470 pregnant women found that spending 10 or more hours sedentary per day while engaging in fewer than five hours of light activity was associated with a sharply higher risk of high blood pressure disorders, including pre-eclampsia, across all trimesters. Researchers identified a lower-risk activity pattern involving about six hours of inactivity, eight hours of light exercise, limited moderate or vigorous exercise, and adequate sleep. Experts stressed that pre-eclampsia is complex, that activity levels may be constrained by health conditions or pregnancy complications, and that more research is needed to determine whether interventions encouraging movement can reduce risk.

Spending more than 10 hours a day inactive and engaging in fewer than five hours of light exercise during pregnancy was associated with a sharply higher risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. In a study of 470 women monitored with activity trackers, 18% developed a high blood pressure disorder. Researchers suggested limiting sedentary time to eight hours daily and increasing light exercise to seven hours, while noting that further research and personalised midwifery guidance are needed.

AstraZeneca’s experimental daily weight-loss tablet, elecoglipron, produced promising results in two phase II trials. Overweight or obese participants without type 2 diabetes lost up to 10.5% of their body weight after 26 weeks at the highest dose, while participants with type 2 diabetes experienced improved blood sugar levels and weight loss compared with placebo. The tablet can be taken daily without fasting, but reported side effects included nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.

AstraZeneca’s experimental once-daily oral GLP-1 drug elecoglipron produced more than 10% average weight loss after six months in a phase II trial involving people without type 2 diabetes, compared with 0.6% for placebo; weight loss reached 11.8% at 36 weeks at the highest dose. A separate trial in people with type 2 diabetes found improved blood sugar control and greater weight loss than placebo. The tablet requires no fasting or food restrictions and may also lower blood pressure and inflammation, but nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting were common side effects. AstraZeneca has begun phase III testing.

A survey of 836 GPs found that 78% practise defensive medicine because of fear of patient complaints, leading to unnecessary prescriptions, referrals and extensive record-keeping. GPs warn that this can cause overdiagnosis, patient anxiety and further strain on the NHS. Separately, a Public Accounts Committee report criticised low rates of frailty, medication and falls-risk assessments among older and severely frail patients, warning that the gaps could contribute to avoidable hospital admissions.

A Pulse survey of 836 GPs found that 78% have changed their practice to avoid patient complaints or regulatory referrals, including prescribing more readily, referring patients more often and writing extensive clinical notes. Doctors and Medical Protection describe a high-risk working environment in which fear of complaints, claims and investigations encourages a low threshold for intervention. The article warns that defensive medicine can cause overdiagnosis and patient anxiety. It also highlights wider NHS pressures affecting older patients, noting Public Accounts Committee findings that few frail patients received medication reviews or falls-risk assessments in 2024/25.

A study of 80 adolescents aged 11 to 17 suggests that moderate screen use may be associated with faster concussion recovery than either complete avoidance or heavy use. Around 120 to 140 minutes of daily screen time was linked to the fastest symptom resolution, while smartphone use of 120 to 240 minutes and one to two hours of television viewing were also associated with quicker recovery. The findings challenge earlier advice to avoid screens entirely during the first 48 hours, although researchers emphasize that evidence remains limited and clinicians should consider balanced use rather than complete abstinence.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and DIOSynVax have developed an AI-designed universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine intended to protect against SARS-CoV-2, SARS and related bat viruses. In a Phase I human trial, the vaccine was reported to be safe and to produce an immune response. Delivered through a needle-free microfluid jet, the technology could enable broader protection against viral families and future mutations, although further trials are needed.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and biotechnology company DIOSynVax have developed an AI-designed universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine that targets features shared across an entire virus family. A phase I trial involving 49 healthy volunteers found the vaccine safe and capable of producing immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, SARS and related bat coronaviruses. The technology uses genetic data from past and current outbreaks and is delivered through a needle-free microfluid jet. Researchers say the approach could eventually protect against future variants and related viruses, potentially helping prevent pandemics, though larger phase II trials involving more than 200 participants are still required.

A trial involving 500 patients with advanced, previously treated pancreatic cancer found that the KRAS-targeting pill daraxonrasib increased median survival to 13.2 months, compared with 6.6 months for chemotherapy. Disease progression-free time was similar between the groups, but daraxonrasib caused fewer severe side effects and led to far fewer treatment discontinuations. Experts described the results as potentially transformative for patients with KRAS-mutated tumours, while Pancreatic Cancer UK urged the UK to make relevant clinical trials available and fast-track approval of promising treatments.

A trial in China involving 532 patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer found that combining the investigational drug Ivonescimab with chemotherapy extended average survival to 28 months, 15% longer than in the control group. The drug uses two mechanisms to help the immune system attack tumours and target tumour growth. Experts called the results promising, although further research is needed; side effects were more common, but treatment discontinuation rates were similar between groups.

A clinical trial involving 500 patients found that the once-daily pill daraxonrasib produced a median survival of 13.2 months for people with advanced pancreatic cancer, compared with 6.6 months for those receiving chemotherapy. The drug targets the mutated KRAS gene, which is present in more than 90% of pancreatic tumours. Daraxonrasib was also associated with fewer treatment discontinuations due to adverse reactions. Pancreatic Cancer UK called the results among the most exciting developments in years and urged the UK to conduct trials and accelerate approval of promising therapies.

A clinical trial in 532 previously untreated patients in China found that ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy extended average survival for advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer to 28 months, compared with 24 months for tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. Researchers called the improvement statistically significant and clinically meaningful, but side effects were more common with ivonescimab. Cancer Research UK described the results as promising while stressing that longer follow-up and broader studies are needed; the drug is not yet licensed in the UK.

An early Phase I trial led by the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust found that the targeted drug ozekibart, combined with chemotherapy, shrank tumours in 20% of 45 patients with advanced bowel cancer and stopped the disease from growing in nearly 87%. Patient Amanda Burgess said the treatment has given her more time with her family and dogs, though the findings remain preliminary.

An early Phase I trial at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust found that combining the targeted cancer drug ozekibart with Folfiri chemotherapy halted tumour growth in 87% of 45 patients with advanced bowel cancer, while tumours shrank in 20%. The treatment is intended for patients whose disease has progressed after two or three previous therapies and who cannot undergo surgery. Researchers described the results as promising but said further research is needed. Trial participant Amanda Burgess reported two significant tumour reductions, stable disease and improved energy, although she found the chemotherapy difficult.