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Burnham's NHS-Style Social Care Plan: Four Options and the Funding Challenge Ahead

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged a free NHS-style social care system to be put before voters at the next election. The proposal faces substantial funding challenges and political obstacles that have defeated previous reform attempts.

8 min read

Andy Burnham meets residents and staff in a care home in north London

Burnham unveils NHS-style free social care plan ahead of election

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed a universal, NHS-style social care system available free at the point of use. He will present detailed plans at his conference speech on Tuesday and put the proposal before voters at the next general election.

4 min read

A thank you card with red heart chocolates and text for NHS appreciation.

Dumfries wheelchair users face severe taxi shortage with only three accessible vehicles for 150,000 people

Dumfries and Galloway has just three wheelchair-accessible taxis for a population of 150,000, forcing users like Janice Johnstone to book days in advance. Operators cite high costs, but the council has introduced reduced licensing fees to encourage provision.

6 min read

A woman in a wheelchair in a bright orange knitted cardigan. She is wearing glasses and is holding her mobile phone in her hands. She is sitting in her living room.

Leeds Baby Bank appeals for urgent donations as referrals surge

Leeds Baby Bank, founded in 2017, has supported 550 families since June 2026 and urgently needs more donations as referrals surge. Founder Chantal Nogbou warns that child poverty in some Leeds areas now affects one in two children, with many families headed by working parents struggling with risi...

5 min read

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes looks into the camera with a neutral expression. She is wearing a dark blue fleece jacket and has a red lanyard around her neck. In the background is a large sign with Leeds Baby Bank on it, along with images of hands, dummies, prams and baby bottles

Ten NHS staff suspended over Noah Woods medical records breach

Ten NHS staff have been suspended after a data breach involving the medical records of three-year-old Noah Woods, who died in September after going missing from a Suffolk playground. The trust has apologised to his family and reported the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office.

3 min read

Three-year-old Noah Woods, with light hair and wearing a brightly coloured top, smiles at the camera.

Eight Community Heroes Crowned in 2026 Northern Ireland Make a Difference Awards

Eight community heroes have been honoured in the 2026 Northern Ireland Make a Difference Awards, including a mother campaigning for school bus safety and volunteers supporting disabled people and bereaved families.

6 min read

NHS Launches 'World-First' Brain Tumour Test Delivering Diagnosis in Two Hours

NHS England launches a rapid genomic test that diagnoses brain tumours in two hours instead of eight weeks, allowing surgeons to make treatment decisions while patients are still on the operating table. The world-first pilot is being rolled out across five specialist centres.

4 min read

A neurosurgeon and nurse operate on a patient in a hospital operating theatre

'It Controls You': Ex-Footballer Lost £500,000 to Gambling Addiction

Former Stoke City footballer Tony Kelly lost £500,000 to gambling addiction that devastated his career and personal life. Now recovered, he runs Red Card Gambling Support and continues advocating for those struggling with addiction.

5 min read

A man with short facial hair, wearing a black shirt and a green lanyard reading "visitor". He is pictured from the shoulders up and there is a brick wall behind him.

Hospital maternity suspension could trigger wider service cuts, trust warns

The Southern Trust warns that suspending maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry would create "knock-on effects" across its healthcare system, including reduced surgical capacity at Craigavon Area Hospital. The move stems from an inability to recruit consultant obstetricians.

5 min read

A baby in a white babygrow lying on a white mattress.

NHS Faces Two-Year Waits for ADHD and Autism Assessments as Demand Surges

NHS England faces a diagnostic crisis with two-year waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments as demand surges. Nearly 1 million people await ADHD evaluation while the system struggles with capacity, creating knock-on delays in medical care, school support and benefits access.

6 min read

A child adjusts a green sunflower-patterned hidden disability lanyard around their neck

Why Gen Z is ditching treadmills for weights and strength training

Gen Z is increasingly choosing strength training over traditional cardio, with gym use and weight training participation rising sharply. More than a quarter of young adults now prioritise fitness spending, and hybrid formats like Hyrox are driving a cultural shift toward resistance-based workouts.

6 min read

Antonia, on the left, wearing a grey t-shirt and black shorts, is talking to a young female client while she is doing hip thrusts using heavy weights on a bar which is lying across her hips

Families demand blood tests for cancer-causing chemicals near Welsh dumpsites

Residents near former Monsanto dumping sites in Wales are demanding blood tests to check for exposure to cancer-causing PCBs, but public health authorities argue testing would not provide reliable answers and could cause unnecessary worry.

9 min read

Natalie Dugdale is a white lady with brown hair wearing a blue t-shirt and a red handbag in front of a wooded area

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