Tobi Thomas

A Society of Radiographers survey of 381 members found a noticeable rise in overt racist abuse by NHS patients over the previous 18 months, including slurs, complaints about staff skin colour and refusals to be treated by black or Asian radiographers. Radiographer Paul Awah described patients questioning his competence and pretending not to understand his English, which he linked partly to far-right anti-immigration rhetoric. NHS Race and Health Observatory chief Habib Naqvi condemned the abuse and called for consistently enforced zero-tolerance policies. NHS England said new staff standards would require organizations to prevent and respond to racism, support affected workers and impose consequences, including refusing non-emergency care in some cases.

A study of 900 German adults found that more severe problematic internet use was associated with worse mood, higher stress, longer online sessions and greater neglect of other activities. Daily temptation to go online was the strongest predictor of continued use, while pleasure and relief reinforced the behavior. Researchers said prevention and treatment may be more effective when focused on recognizing and managing moments of temptation rather than stress or mood alone, while emphasizing that only a small proportion of users develop pathological patterns and that internet use can be beneficial when it does not displace essential responsibilities, exercise, outdoor activities or time with friends.

A King’s College London analysis of more than 8,500 adults recorded over 30 years found that diabetes and hypertension are rising faster among Black African and Black Caribbean people than among white participants. Black African participants were twice as likely to suffer a stroke without a prior diagnosed risk factor, while diabetes and high blood pressure were substantially more prevalent in Black communities. The study also found higher risk among people in manual occupations and those with lower education levels. Researchers and the Stroke Association called for earlier, universal cardiovascular-risk detection and targeted prevention, arguing that NHS checks starting at age 40 may be too late for some higher-risk groups.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham paused plans to release up to 6,000 prisoners early from September, ordering an urgent review after concerns that violent offenders and domestic-abuse perpetrators could pose risks to the public. The decision was welcomed by victims’ representatives but criticised by probation officials, who said it had created confusion across the prison system. Burnham also announced a 20% business-rate reduction for pubs, clubs and live-music venues in England, which Conservatives questioned as potentially unfunded. Other developments included Kemi Badenoch’s criticism of Burnham, Grant Shapps’s rejection from the Conservative candidate-selection process, Angela Rayner’s defence of a severance payment, scrutiny of new energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, tensions over Ed Miliband’s past criticism of Donald Trump, and the cancellation of British army training in Kenya following a defence-agreement dispute.

Children in England’s most deprived areas experience significantly higher hospital admissions for respiratory infections, with NHS data showing a 41% higher rate than in the least deprived regions. Experts link the disparity to severe air pollution exposure and poor housing conditions, citing long-term health consequences. Health advocates call for stronger government action, including stricter air‑quality laws aligned with WHO guidelines, to reduce unequal environmental harms and improve children’s respiratory health.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that teenagers across the UK be offered meningitis B vaccination through the NHS at about age 15. Those vaccinated as infants would receive a booster, while those who missed infant vaccination would be offered two doses, including a catch-up programme for older cohorts. The recommendation follows fatal meningitis outbreaks in Kent and Berkshire, as well as campaigning by affected families and Meningitis Now. A separate one-off vaccination campaign is already targeting around one million young people entering university or residential further education.

Analysis of NHS England data shows black doctors are four times less likely than white applicants to secure specialty training posts, with disparities reaching extreme levels in fields such as anaesthetics and obstetrics. While shortlisting rates are similar across ethnic groups, offers drop sharply for black and Asian candidates, raising concerns about systemic racism, implicit bias and weaknesses in selection processes. Medical leaders and equality experts call for stronger oversight, transparent recruitment practices and targeted interventions to address persistent racial inequity in postgraduate medical training.

A Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health analysis of 12 indicators finds that child-health outcomes in the UK have stagnated or worsened, with low MMR vaccination coverage, high asthma mortality, limited improvement in infant mortality, rising obesity and increasing mental-health problems. Children in the most deprived areas experience more than twice the infant mortality and obesity rates of those in the least deprived areas. The college describes the situation as a national embarrassment and calls for sustained investment, improved data collection and binding national targets. The King's Fund supports the warning, while the government says it is tackling poverty and health inequalities through expanded mental-health services, family hubs, school food programmes and restrictions on tobacco, vaping and junk-food advertising.

Accounts from minority ethnic women describe severe pain being dismissed during childbirth, reflecting broader disparities in UK maternity care. Evidence shows longstanding racial biases in pain assessment among medical professionals, contributing to inadequate pain relief even when treatments are requested. Studies demonstrate that standardised pain management protocols have not eliminated ethnic gaps. Healthcare leaders acknowledge the problem and call for better data to address systemic inequities.

Research involving 2.7 million UK births shows Black and Asian women are significantly less likely than white women to receive epidural pain relief during labour, and more likely to undergo general anaesthesia during caesarean deliveries. Findings highlight racial disparities attributed to systemic issues including stereotyping, communication barriers and institutional racism. Medical organisations and experts call for improved data collection, stronger anti‑racism measures and better maternity staffing and resources to address unequal treatment and ensure all women receive appropriate pain relief and involvement in care decisions.

Multiple studies across the UK, US and other countries reveal consistent racial and ethnic disparities in how pain is perceived and treated from childhood through end‑of‑life care. Minority ethnic patients often need to display more severe symptoms before their pain is acknowledged and are less likely to receive effective treatment, including opioids. Research highlights unequal treatment in paediatrics, maternity services, emergency departments, chronic pain management, and cancer and palliative care. Findings point to entrenched racial bias and stereotypes that result in worse outcomes for minority groups, including insufficient pain relief, higher complication rates, and increased emergency visits at the end of life.

Maternal mortality and serious birth-related complications in England have risen, with rates higher than in many European countries. A national investigation led by Valerie Amos found widespread failures across maternity and neonatal services, including understaffing, inadequate care, institutional racism, and increasing reliance on caesarean sections. Inspections show many maternity units failing to meet standards, while major reviews uncovered hundreds of avoidable deaths and injuries at several NHS trusts. The report calls for national reforms, including appointing a maternity commissioner, to address systemic issues and prevent further harm.

A major review led by Valerie Amos found widespread failings in England’s maternity and neonatal care, citing toxic culture, understaffing, inadequate triage, racism and avoidable harm to mothers and babies. Health secretary James Murray called the findings a watershed moment and announced the creation of a maternity commissioner to drive reforms and co‑chair a national taskforce set to deliver an action plan by December. The report recommends overhauling maternity triage, ensuring independent investigations when care goes wrong, replacing the current compensation system, and addressing entrenched discrimination. Despite near-record low stillbirth and neonatal death rates, progress has stalled, longstanding recommendations remain unimplemented, and some maternity units are deemed unsafe. The release was overshadowed by the resignation of adviser Bill Kirkup over disagreements about “normal birth ideology.”

A review led by Lady Amos finds England’s maternity and neonatal system unfit for purpose and proposes binding national standards, improved triage services, and a fully independent maternity commissioner to strengthen accountability. Key recommendations aim to address longstanding transparency issues, including giving families the automatic right to request independent investigations. The report highlights entrenched racism and significant disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes but offers limited clarity on how proposed measures will meaningfully reduce these gaps. Critics argue the review overlooks the long-term impact of traumatic births and fails to address forceps injuries or psychological harm. The implementation and effectiveness of the recommendations remain uncertain.

Projections from the British Heart Foundation indicate that about 170,000 people in England could die from obesity‑related cardiovascular disease by 2035 if current trends persist. Experts warn that obesity is a major driver of heart attacks and strokes, with one in nine cardiovascular deaths annually linked to excess weight. Regional disparities show the highest obesity rates in the north‑east and West Midlands and the lowest in London. Health advocates urge the UK government to implement promised healthy food policies and set stronger targets for the food industry. The Department of Health and Social Care highlights ongoing efforts including expanding access to weight‑loss drugs, mandating health reporting by large businesses and improving heart disease prevention and treatment.

Referrals of children and young people to mental health services in England surpassed 1 million in 2024–25, a 10% increase driven by rising anxiety and growing numbers of suspected autism and neurodevelopmental cases. Long waiting times have worsened, with more than 60,000 children waiting over two years for support. The children’s commissioner and mental health advocates warn that the system cannot meet demand and urge a cross‑government approach, improved coordination across health, education and social care, and a more responsive, personalised strategy in the government’s forthcoming mental health plan.

Serious birth injuries in England have reached their highest recorded levels, with rates of severe perineal tears and major postpartum haemorrhage rising since monitoring began in 2020. Concerns from health officials and experts point to inadequate maternity care, potential diagnostic changes, and demographic risk factors contributing to the trend. Upcoming reports on maternity safety, ongoing investigations into multiple hospital trusts, and plans for government action highlight growing pressure for significant reform. Incomplete national maternity data further hinders efforts to understand and address systemic shortcomings.

A major review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust found that 520 mothers and babies experienced avoidable harm or death due to systemic failures including poor clinical care, understaffing, bullying, and a culture of concealment. The findings prompted calls for a public inquiry, with families demanding accountability and systemic reform across the NHS. The government is considering the request and announced new measures including Martha’s rule and mandatory cooperation with maternity investigations. Senior trust leaders apologised as the report’s findings are set to inform national reforms to improve maternity safety.

A major review of 2,500 maternity cases at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust found systemic, long‑term failures leading to avoidable deaths and serious harm to hundreds of mothers and babies. Investigators reported persistent understaffing, bullying, racism, misdiagnosed or ignored symptoms and widespread dismissal of women’s concerns. Significant numbers of stillbirths, maternal deaths and severe complications showed evidence of suboptimal care. Vulnerable and minority women experienced exacerbated inequalities, and multiple cases revealed severe lapses in mortuary and bereavement practices. The findings highlight deep‑rooted cultural and operational failings across maternity and neonatal services, prompting renewed calls for accountability and reform.

An upcoming report by Donna Ockenden is expected to detail extensive and long-term failings in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, including racism and unsafe practices that contributed to deaths and serious injuries among mothers and babies. The inquiry drew evidence from thousands of families and hundreds of staff and is anticipated to lead to major reforms. Senior officials, including Health Secretary James Murray and maternity adviser Michelle Welsh, emphasize that recommendations must be implemented and highlight the need for a potential statutory public inquiry into maternity care across England. Regulatory bodies are investigating staff misconduct, and improvements have begun under new trust leadership, though services remain rated as requiring improvement.

The number of learning‑disability nurses in the UK has fallen by one‑third since 2009, leaving about 1.5 million people without equitable access to legally required health and care services. The Royal College of Nursing warns that the profession is in crisis, with declining workforce numbers and a sharp drop in student enrolment. Nurses report feeling undervalued and constrained by inadequate resources, contributing to poorer health outcomes for people with learning disabilities, particularly among marginalised groups. The union calls for government action to recognise and protect learning‑disability nursing and to establish a coordinated plan to sustain the profession, while disability advocates emphasise the urgent need to invest in specialist support to reduce health inequalities.

Nearly 3,000 patients a day in England are receiving care in hospital corridors or other inappropriate locations due to bed shortages in A&E units. Newly published NHS England data recorded an average of 2,241 instances of corridor care lasting more than 45 minutes and 699 cases in other unsuitable spaces such as cupboards or car parks. The figures showed significant regional concentration, with 20 NHS trusts accounting for over half the incidents. Dr Ian Higginson of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine called the situation a national scandal and questioned the accuracy of the data, warning that it may underestimate the true scale. The overall hospital waiting list rose to 7.22 million, with nearly 100,000 people waiting over a year for routine treatment. Health secretary James Murray and NHS medical director Francesca Swords both described corridor care as unacceptable and said the data would help target support to affected trusts.

A parliamentary review found the UK’s stem cell transplant system lacks adequate infrastructure, planning and accountability, resulting in significant risks for blood cancer patients and pronounced inequities for minority-ethnic groups. Heavy reliance on overseas donors increases costs and supply chain vulnerabilities, while patients from minority backgrounds face dramatically lower chances of finding suitable matches. Campaigners and charities highlighted persistent disparities and urged reforms, and the government has launched a comprehensive review to expand UK-based donation and improve equitable access.

Melanoma cases in the UK have surpassed 20,000 annually for the first time, with projections suggesting they could rise to 26,500 by 2040 due to population growth and ageing. Cancer Research UK and health authorities warn that most cases are preventable and urge the public to take sun safety precautions as the country faces a heatwave. Experts emphasize the importance of early detection and protective measures such as shade, clothing and high-factor sunscreen.

An early clinical trial by University of Bristol researchers indicates that the immunotherapy drug tocilizumab may help patients with depression who do not respond to standard antidepressants. Although the small sample size limited statistical significance, participants receiving the drug showed greater improvements in depression severity, fatigue, anxiety, and quality of life compared with those on placebo. The treatment group also had higher remission rates, with an NNT of 5 compared to 7 for SSRIs. Researchers say the findings support further investigation and move toward more biologically tailored depression treatments.