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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Articles

The missing oncology nurses on England’s cancer wards

3 weeks ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

For the almost three and a half million people estimated to be living with cancer in the UK, oncology nurses play a vital role. But many hospitals in England are missing more than ten percent of these nurses on a monthly average. In March we looked at the gaps in acute nurse staffing rates. Now, we focus on those missing from oncology wards.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust investigated for corporate manslaughter

3 weeks ago | channel4.com | Victoria Macdonald

Nottinghamshire police are investigating a NHS trust for corporate manslaughter following deaths and serious injuries related to its maternity care. The Nottingham University Hospitals Trust is already the subject of an inquiry examining more than two thousand cases.
‘Time is muscle’ - children trapped in postcode lottery for life-extending drug

1 month ago | channel4.com | Victoria MacDonald |Victoria Macdonald

In the Duchenne community they say time is muscle. So the clock is always ticking for the loved ones of those suffering with this form of muscular dystrophy. Six months ago those families were given hope – only for it to be dashed. Duchenne causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Becoming non-ambulatory – not being able to walk – can happen anytime between the ages of 8 and 12.
Progressive MS patients given new hope in world first drug trial

1 month ago | channel4.com | Victoria MacDonald |Victoria Macdonald

Living the high life – management consultant Brad Johnson was working long hours, travelling all over the world, having the best time. Now he leaves his flat – in his words – under exceptional circumstances. “I get very tired, I have to plan when I’m going, and it takes quite a lot, actually, to get me out the house, so it has to be a great event, or something, for me to leave,” he said. Eight years ago at just 30 years old, Brad was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Covid inquiry: 180,000 lives could have been saved

1 month 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 month 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.
Hospital whistleblower wins right to protection in landmark case

Mar 26, 2025 | channel4.com | Victoria MacDonald |Victoria Macdonald

Max McLean didn’t see himself as a whistleblower. As chair of the Bradford Royal Infirmary he had simply raised a number of issues including preventable deaths in newborn babiesBut he was, he claims, forced out by the Board. And when he tried to take the trust to an employment tribunal, they argued that he was not a worker and was not protected under whistleblowing law. Now, in a landmark ruling, the tribunal said he was a worker and was protected.
South Africa’s obesity crisis: preventing a disaster

Mar 25, 2025 | channel4.com | Victoria MacDonald |Victoria Macdonald

Think South Africa, think HIV – but somewhere in the past decade that has changed. Obesity related illnesses are the number one cause of death – HIV the fourth. 50 per cent of adults are overweight or obese. Dr. Nomathemba Chandiwana, is an expert in HIV but in recent years has been exploring the intersection with obesity. She told Channel 4 News that almost 60% of women are living with overweight and obesity, and that this is set to double in the next decade.
The reasons behind ‘serious’ NHS nursing shortages in England

Mar 20, 2025 | 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

Mar 20, 2025 | 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.