Hugh Pym

London

Health Editor at BBC

BBC News Health Editor covering all aspects of health (UK and Global). Politics and economics of the NHS. Thoughts from staff and patients always welcome.

Articles

Spending Review: How much did schools, transport and the NHS get?

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Hazel Shearing |Hugh Pym |Nick Marsh |Tarah Welsh

Image source, Getty ImagesChancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the government's Spending Review, which outlines the day-to-day budgets for departments over the next three years. The review affects funding for public services such as the NHS, schools, housing, prisons and policing, as well as other areas, including transport and infrastructure. Here BBC correspondents analyse how key services have fared and what the decisions may mean for you.
Winston Churchill's race to secure penicillin before D-Day found in notes

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Handwritten notes reveal Churchill's penicillin concern ahead of D-DayGetty ImagesPrime Minister Winston Churchill expressed frustration over slow progress securing antibiotic penicillinWinston Churchill's push to obtain penicillin in time to treat casualties expected from D-Day has come to light in documents seen by BBC News.
Pharmacists warn drug shortage affecting cancer patients

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Pharmacists warn drug shortage affecting cancer patientsGetty ImagesPharmacists have warned that "one of the worst" examples of medicine shortages is affecting cancer patients. Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), helps digestion and is required by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. It is thought more than 61,000 patients in the UK need the medicine.
Pharmacists warn drug shortage affecting cancer patients

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Hugh Pym

The National Pharmacy Association said more than three quarters of members covered in a recent survey felt the current arrangements for managing the shortages were inadequate. Some reported that patients were skipping meals and travelling long distances to get hold of the medication, according to the NPA. One said it was the "worst stock shortage" they had ever had to deal with.
Streeting urges doctors to vote no in strike ballot

1 month ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Streeting urges doctors to vote no in strike ballotEPAHealth Secretary Wes StreetingHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has urged doctors in England to "vote no" in a ballot on industrial action which gets under way on Tuesday. In a BBC interview, he urged resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, to "work with the government" and warned strikes risked hampering the progress being made in the NHS. He said it was in no-one's interests for strikes to take place.
Streeting urges doctors to vote no in strike ballot

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Hugh Pym |Nick Triggle

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged doctors in England to "vote no" in a ballot on industrial action which gets under way on Tuesday. In a BBC interview, he urged resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, to "work with the government" and warned strikes risked hampering the progress being made in the NHS. He said it was in no-one's interests for strikes to take place.
Infected blood compensation needs to be faster, campaigners say

1 month ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Infected blood victims call for faster compensationPA MediaVictims have been campaigning for compensation for yearsCompensation for infected blood victims needs to be delivered faster, campaigners have said on the first anniversary of a public inquiry report into what has been described as the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.
Some children at obesity clinics have BMI of 50

1 month ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Child obesity clinics seeing BMIs over 50Getty ImagesA disproportionate number of children referred to NHS excess weight clinics in England are from the most deprived areas, and a significant number are neurodivergent or have other health conditions, a study has found.
Urgent care worse than pre-pandemic, think tank says

2 months ago | bbc.com | Hugh Pym

Urgent care worse than pre-pandemic, think tank saysEPAA leading health think tank says urgent and emergency care in England is performing "far worse" than before the pandemic. The Health Foundation argues that the NHS was "in distress" this winter with A&E waiting times reaching a record high. The group says it would be wrong just to blame relatively high levels of flu. The government is due to publish an urgent and emergency care plan soon.
NHS Scotland staff offered 8% pay rise over two years

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Graeme Ogston |Hugh Pym

Nurses, midwives and healthcare staff across Scotland have been offered an 8% pay increase over two years. Health Secretary Neil Gray set out plans for a 4.25% increase in 2025-26 and a 3.75% rise next year. The offer - which the government said would cost around £701m - will also be protected by an "inflation guarantee", meaning pay increases will always be at least 1% above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate.