The Health and Healing Narrative

Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.

Charlotte

  • Conversations In Medicine: A Good Death Is Good Medicine

    This week has been one of those weeks. In general practice, there are days where everything seems to flow. You have more straightforward consultations, fewer unexpected problems, and you leave feeling like you’ve been able to keep on top of everything. Other days, every consultation feels complex. Every patient needs more time, more referrals, more…

  • Medical Marvel Monday: Could New NICE-Backed Tests Speed Up Endometriosis Diagnosis?

    For many people living with endometriosis, the road to diagnosis is long and difficult. Despite affecting around one in ten women and people assigned female at birth of reproductive age, it takes an average of more than nine years to receive a diagnosis. During this time, symptoms can have a profound impact on education, work,…

  • Beyond “Benign”: Let’s Talk About Acoustic Neuromas

    When people hear the words “benign brain tumour“, they often assume it’s reassuring. After all, benign means it’s not cancerous. But for thousands of people living with an acoustic neuroma, that single word can be deeply misleading. When I was four years old, my mum was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. Although the tumour wasn’t…

  • Medical Marvel Monday: A Huge Step Forward for the Tiniest Patients – Newborn Screening for SMA

    From around October 2026, babies born in England are expected to be routinely screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) as part of the NHS newborn blood spot screening programme. While this may seem like a relatively small addition to an existing test, it represents a major milestone in paediatric medicine, as for babies born with SMA, identifying…

  • Medical Marvel Monday: Can One Vaccine Bring Cervical Cancer Deaths Close to Zero?

    When the NHS introduced routine Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination for girls in 2008, few could have predicted just how transformative it would become. Fast forward to 2026, and researchers have reported something remarkable. Among women in England aged 20-24 who had been offered the HPV vaccine at 12-13 years of age, no deaths from cervical…

  • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Define, Detect, Treat, Advocate

    By Lisa Banirian Just as every structure needs a strong foundation, our bodies are supported by the spine. The spinal column consists of five regions and a total of 33 vertebrae, some of which are fused by adulthood. The spine works in conjunction with muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that support movement and protect the…

  • Medical Marvel Monday: What If a Vitamin B12-Based Compound Could Help Fight Aggressive Brain Cancer?

    What if a vitamin you get from food could be re-engineered to help fight one of the most aggressive brain cancers? From a clinical perspective, glioblastoma is one of the most challenging cancers encountered in neuro-oncology; it is the most common malignant (cancerous) brain tumour in adults and among the most aggressive. Despite maximal treatment,…

  • Heat-related Illness: Symptoms, Prevention, and Emergency Treatment Explained

    From ultramarathon races and hiking expeditions up Kilimanjaro, to outdoor festivals such as LoveTrails, working with Trailmed, a UK-based events medical company, means I’ve helped look after people from all walks of life in various conditions. What is consistently striking, though, is how often heat-related illness catches people out — even experienced athletes who are…

  • When Patients Become Their Own Experts: Finding Growth, Forgiveness, and Purpose in Chronic Illness

    By Josette Pelatan, PhD Editor’s note: This article is a first-person opinion and lived-experience piece by a guest writer. The views expressed are those of the author and reflect her individual healthcare journey. Personal experiences with illness, diagnosis, and treatment can vary significantly, and this article is not intended to provide medical advice, replace professional…

  • Huntington’s Disease and the Turning Point in Neurogenetic Therapy

    By Bushra Zletni, MSc Receiving a life-changing diagnosis is always difficult, and for many families, a Huntington’s disease diagnosis introduces significant uncertainty and emotional burden. This condition progressively impacts movement, cognitive abilities, and mental well-being, influencing the everyday lives of both patients and their caregivers. For many years, the absence of treatments that modify the…

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