Philippa Roxby

Health and Science Journalist at BBC

BBC News health and science journalist. Also sports nut, mum, dog lover...

Articles

Ultra-processed foods may be linked to early death

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Philippa Roxby

Ultra-processed foods may be linked to early deathPhilippa RoxbyGetty ImagesCrisps, croissants, doughnuts, muffins, sweets and hot dogs all count as ultra-processed foodPeople who eat lots of ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be at greater risk of dying early, a study in eight countries including the UK and the US suggests. Processed meats, biscuits, fizzy drinks, ice cream and some breakfast cereals are examples of UPF, which are becoming increasingly common around the world.
'My peanut allergy nearly killed me

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Philippa Roxby

'My peanut allergy nearly killed me - now I eat them every day for breakfast'Philippa RoxbyBBCChris Brookes-Smith no longer lives in fear of eating the wrong thing Chris Brookes-Smith, 28, used to live in fear of dying from eating even the smallest trace of peanut. Ten years ago he had his worst allergic reaction after ordering a curry at a local Indian takeaway. The trauma of it is seared into his memory. "I knew I was in trouble after one bite," he says.
'My peanut allergy nearly killed me - now I eat them every day for breakfast'

3 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Philippa Roxby

“What Did Someone Do On A Plane That Made You Say ‘You’ve Gotta Be Kidding Me’?” (56 Answers)Air travel can bring out the worst in people. And if you’ve been a longtime reader of ours, you’ve likely come across the multitude of stories we’ve …
Plan for GPs to keep millions out of hospital

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Philippa Roxby

Philippa Roxby - Health reporterThu, April 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM UTC3 min readA scheme to help GPs provide care and advice to patients without them joining long NHS hospital waiting lists is being expanded in England, the government has said. GPs will work more closely with specialists to access expert advice quickly for patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, menopause symptoms and ear infections.
Plan for GPs to keep millions of patients out of hospital

4 weeks ago | bbc.com | Philippa Roxby

Philippa RoxbyHealth reporterA scheme to support GPs to provide care and advice to patients which avoids them joining long NHS hospital waiting lists is being expanded in England, the government says. GPs will work more closely with specialists to access expert advice quickly for patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, menopause symptoms and ear infections.
New pill can slow progression of incurable breast cancer

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Philippa Roxby

A new type of drug for one of the most common kinds of advanced breast cancer is now available on the NHS in England. Some 3,000 women a year could benefit from capivasertib after a clinical trial showed it can slow progression of the disease, and shrink tumours in a quarter of people. The drug has been given the green light for NHS funding by England's drug assessment body.
Warning over hands-free breastfeeding in baby slings

1 month ago | bbc.com | Philippa Roxby

Baby slings unsafe for hands-free feeding, charities warnPhilippa RoxbyGetty ImagesChildbirth charities are warning parents that hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding, when a baby is being carried in a sling, is unsafe. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the Lullaby Trust say the risks are highest for premature babies and those under four months old because their airways can be easily blocked.
Pharmacies prepare to cut opening hours in protest over contract

1 month ago | businessandamerica.com | Philippa Roxby |Dominic Hughes

Philippa Roxby and Dominic HughesHealth correspondentsAbout 6,000 community pharmacies in England are, for the first time, being advised to start “working to rule” in two weeks, unless an agreement can be reached with the government on a new NHS contract. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is urging its members to limit opening hours to 40 a week, as set out in the current contract, because they have yet to receive any confirmation of funding for this or next financial year.
New endometriosis pill approved on NHS in England

2 months ago | bbc.com | Philippa Roxby |Elena Bailey

New endometriosis pill approved on NHS in EnglandPhilippa Roxby and Elena BaileyGetty ImagesThe first daily pill for treating endometriosis symptoms has been approved for use on the NHS in England - but only for patients who have tried all other options. Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, causing pain and extreme tiredness as a result of tissue similar to the womb lining growing elsewhere in the body.
Epilepsy AI tool detects brain lesions doctors miss

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Philippa Roxby

An artificial-intelligence tool can detect two-thirds of epilepsy brain lesions doctors often miss, say the UK researchers who have developed it, paving the way for more targeted surgery to stop seizures. One out of every five people with epilepsy - a total of 30,000 in the UK - has uncontrolled seizures caused by brain abnormalities too subtle for the human eye to see on scans. Child epilepsy experts say the AI tool has "huge potential" and opens up avenues for treatment.