Harm at risk of being normalised in maternity care

Harm at risk of being normalised in maternity care

Getty Images Many of the maternity failings at scandal-hit hospitals are being seen elsewhere, England’s NHS regulator says. Investigations into units in Shrewsbury and Telford and East Kent found poor care may have contributed to babies dying or having life-changing injuries. But the Care Quality Commission said many of the problems were more widespread. Its … Read more

Many pharmacists to vote on cuts to opening hours

Many pharmacists to vote on cuts to opening hours

Getty Images Many pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could cut their opening hours in protest over government funding, if a “work-to-rule” ballot passes. The National Pharmacy Association says its unprecedented ballot of members could mean chemists keeping strictly to the 40 hours a week they are required to open in the government contract. … Read more

More families refusing to donate relatives’ organs

More families refusing to donate relatives’ organs

Lesley Clarke Richard Still’s cornea and kidneys were donated after he suffered a brain haemorrhage Families are increasingly turning down requests to donate a relative’s organs, sometimes because their loved one’s wishes were unknown. With the transplant waiting list at a 10-year high, the NHS is urging people to talk about what they would want. … Read more

Junior doctors given job-title change BMA requested

Junior doctors given job-title change BMA requested

Dr Lily Huang Dr Lily Huang, who works in London, supports the name change Junior doctors working across the NHS will now be called resident doctors instead – in a change intended to better reflect their expertise. The doctors union, the British Medical Association (BMA), which called for the change, called the term junior “infantilising … Read more

New XEC Covid variant starting to spread

New XEC Covid variant starting to spread

Getty People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists. Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X, formerly known as Twitter. It has some … Read more