Health & Society

Read news stories, features and analysis below about the latest developments in healthcare from the award winning team of journalists at The Doctor magazine

Mental health services ‘not safe’

A public inquiry into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex has highlighted repeated failings and hopes to effect change across the country. Ben Ireland heard evidence from the latest round of hearings

Health & Society By Ben Ireland

ARM debates prioritisation on specialty training programmes

Representatives also call for expansion in places and criticise ‘failure’ of government workforce planning

By Ben Ireland 26.06.25

BMA members vote to help fix ‘failed’ NHS workforce plan

Union to lobby for more senior doctor roles and easing of specialty training bottlenecks

By Ben Ireland 25.06.25

BMA condemns punitive action taken against climate activist doctors

Association calls for protections for members engaging in non-violent advocacy

By Ben Ireland 24.06.25

Call for assisted dying safeguards

Patients must have ‘informed choice’ with access to palliative care, doctors agree

By Peter Blackburn 23.06.25

Mental health services ‘not safe’

By Ben Ireland 19.06.25

Climate activist doctor Sarah Benn's suspension extended

Tribunal finds retired GP’s fitness to practise ‘remains impaired’

By Ben Ireland 18.06.25

Rowing for Ukraine – a doctor's solo voyage across the Atlantic

Leo Krivskiy was already supporting doctors in Ukraine, but Russia's second invasion led him to an extraordinary 3,300-mile challenge to raise money for vital medical supplies. Seren Boyd reports

By Seren Boyd 12.06.25

Skills for the frontline

Anaesthetist Ian Nesbitt tells Jennifer Trueland about his work in giving vital skills to doctors in Ukraine and other conflict areas

By Jennifer Trueland 23.05.25