The Health and Healing Narrative
Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.
Charlotte
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How to Advocate for Yourself as a Patient in the NHS: A Practical Guide
If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling uncertain or unheard, you’re not alone. Navigating the healthcare system can feel complex and rushed, even for experienced patients. Self-advocacy is about taking an active role in your own care, understanding your rights, and knowing how to navigate the system safely. It doesn’t mean you’re being demanding; it…
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Childhood Vaccines: The Ultimate Guide For Parents
With the winter months very much underway, and the seasonal sniffles doing the rounds, now seems like a better time than ever to talk about vaccinations. And in a world where the “anti-vax” movement has become more visible and misinformation spreads quickly online, revisiting the basics is more important than ever. Childhood vaccination schedules aren’t…
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Working as a Doctor in Australia: An Honest Guide From an Aussie Doctor
Amid the ongoing uncertainty around training posts and job security within the NHS, one thing has become increasingly clear: each year, more doctors are choosing to move abroad. Australia is often at the top of that list. Think sandy beaches, sunshine, an English-speaking workforce, and a healthcare system that looks – at least from the…
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Are Doctors Underpaid in 2025? The Real Numbers Behind the NHS Pay Dispute
The headlines the last couple weeks are familiar – and rarely flattering: We will not ‘be held to ransom’ by striking doctors, says minister -BBC Wes Streeting blasts doctors’ strike as ‘slap in the face’ for NHS -The Independent From 14th to 19th November 2025, resident* (formerly “junior”) doctors across England will walk out again –…
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UK Resident Doctors and the NHS Strikes: What’s Happened So Far
On the 23rd of October 2025, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced a new round of strikes, set to take place from the 14th – 19th of November. This will mark the 13th round of strikes since 2023, as resident doctors continue their fight over pay, training, and working conditions. To understand why these strikes…
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What Is PrEP? Everything You Need To Know, and The New HIV Prevention Jab Changing The Game
Every year in the UK thousands of people are diagnosed with HIV, despite major advances in prevention and treatment. In 2024 there were around 3,043 new HIV diagnoses across the UK, representing a 4% drop from the year before. Yet even with this progress, nearly 42% of diagnoses in England were made at a late stage* of infection – when…
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Top 10 Things Most People Don’t Know About The Menopause (But That Everyone Should!)
Today we celebrate International Menopause Day – a day to bring compassion, awareness, and understanding to an experience that shapes the lives of all women in some way. This year’s theme focuses on menopause in the workplace – an important reminder that supporting women through this transition helps create healthier, fairer, and more inclusive work environments. If…
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Why Healthcare Needs “Black Box” Thinking: Lessons on Failure and Accountability from a Veteran Pilot
In both aviation and medicine, mistakes can cost lives. Yet while the aviation industry has spent decades learning how to learn from failure, healthcare still often fears it. I sat down with my dad, Chris Tomlinson – a veteran pilot with more than 25 years experience in the RAF and civilian aviation, to talk about…
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Type 2 Diabetes: A Doctor’s Guide
From diet and exercise to stress management and medication, this guide shows how small, consistent changes can help you take control of and live well with type 2 diabetes.
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Jess’ Rule: The Change in GP Care That Could Save Young Lives
20 GP visits. No answers. With cancer rates rising in young people, Jess’ Rule is a wake-up call for patients and GPs alike: never dismiss persistent symptoms as ‘nothing.’
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