Victoria Macdonald

London

Health and Social Care Editor at Channel 4 News

Channel 4 News Health and Social Care Editor. A Kiwi in London and Chair of Validity (formerly MDAC). Justice for people with mental disabilities

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channel4.com

Articles

Covid inquiry: 180,000 lives could have been saved

4 days ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

If the government had listened to experts and implemented the same strategies used in other countries, 180,000 lives may have been saved during Covid, the UK Covid Inquiry heard today. East Asian death rates were five times lower than in the UK. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group said the UK’s death toll was down to “political decisions rooted in arrogance” and a “dangerous belief that Britain was somehow different”.
Infected blood victims fear they won’t live to see compensation

1 week ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

The Infected Blood Inquiry has been reopened after many victims complained they had not yet received compensation. Some of the victims of the worst ever NHS treatment scandal say they worry that they won’t live long enough to receive it. Our health and social care editor Victora Macdonald has been speaking to one widow who has decided to give her first television interview since her late husband was infected with HIV in the 1980s.
The reasons behind ‘serious’ NHS nursing shortages in England

1 month ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

Our newly revealed data showing the high numbers of hospitals across England with major nursing shortages.
Secret files reveal 1 in 3 hospitals in England missing 10% of nurses

1 month ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

After a ten-month battle, Channel 4 News’ FactCheck team has obtained NHS data revealing 1 in 3 of England’s hospitals are missing at least 10% of their planned-for nurses across their wards. After the Mid-Staffordshire scandal, the government at the time promised to shine a light on the nursing understaffing that had contributed to putting patients at risk, sometimes even costing their lives. For several years, crucial data was publicly available from NHS England.
Starmer scraps NHS England to put health service under ‘democratic control’

2 months ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped NHS England and said he was putting the health service under “democratic control”. The Prime Minister said it would be better served under ministerial oversight – rather than the body that’s been dubbed the biggest quango in the world. Thousands of jobs will be cut – but Sir Keir denied it signalled any return to austerity.
Experts fear millions of HIV and AIDS deaths after USAID cuts

2 months ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

One thing Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump have in common is they are both cutting their foreign aid budgets. As they began their talks, termination notices were going out to US-funded international aid projects around the world, including those providing lifesaving care.
Who will suffer after cuts to UK foreign aid?

2 months ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

It’s too soon to say who will lose support and when, but aid groups are reacting to the news with alarm – fearful much needed funding will be lost in the places that need it most.
NHS crisis: record number waiting over 12 hours for A&E

Feb 13, 2025 | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

The number of people in England waiting more than 12 hours for care after being admitted to A&E hit a record high in January. There were signs of improvement in waiting lists for routine hospital treatment, but more than 74 thousand cancer patients did not start their treatment on time last year.
Systemic failures in NHS care of Nottingham killer

Feb 5, 2025 | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

A review into the NHS care of the triple-killer Valdo Calocane has detailed a series of systemic failures and errors in his treatment, admitting that the “system got it wrong”. Calocane, who has paranoid schizophrenia, stabbed to death 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley Kumar – along with caretaker Ian Coates, in June 2023. Victims’ familiesÂ¬â€ say those responsible for the failures should be named and held accountable.
‘Back to basics’ - NHS England given key priorities for year ahead

Jan 30, 2025 | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

The NHS has been told to “get back to basics” and focus on cutting A&E and ambulance waiting times – under new guidance setting out the key priorities for England’s health service in the year ahead. The Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it would also improve access to GPs and dental care – as well as tackling the mental health crisis. But some key issues aren’t included in the guidelines