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Resident Doctor Strikes 2026: Understanding the Bigger Picture
Today marks the start of a 6-day walkout by resident doctors, formerly “junior doctors”, across England. The dispute between resident doctors and the government has been ongoing since 2023, with multiple rounds of strike action already behind us. Much of the public conversation focuses narrowly on pay, though this focus obscures the far more complex…
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Meningitis in the UK: Symptoms, Causes, Vaccines, and the 2026 Kent MenB Outbreak-
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, made up of dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater (see below). It can be caused by a number of infective and non-infective factors. The recent Kent 2026 MenB outbreak has brought meningitis back into the spotlight, with…
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Trauma, the Nervous System, and Gentle Movement: A Doctor’s Perspective
By Dr. Antti Rintanen, MD, MSc Trauma is an experience — or series of experiences — in which a real or perceived threat is encountered, often accompanied by overwhelming stress or loss of control. Most people have experienced at least one traumatic experience in their lifetime. However, only a small percentage develop an actual post-traumatic…
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Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): A Complete Guide
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a common neurological condition — yet many people have never even heard of it. Even more concerning, it is still widely misunderstood. I was reminded of this when I recently attended a conference at the Walton Centre, a specialist neurology and neurosurgery trust in the North West. During the conference, consultant…
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Inside the Role of a GP Expert Witness: Clinical Negligence, Common Primary Care Errors, and Defensible Documentation
By Dr Hassan Khalil, NHS GP and GP Expert Witness For today’s blog post, we’re doing something a bit different. I recently spoke with Dr Hassan Khalil, an NHS GP and GP Expert Witness, to better understand what happens when clinical practice is examined through a legal lens. We often hear the term “expert witness”…
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Statins: Separating Myth from Medicine
By Derek Miao, clinical pharmacist and medical writer If your doctor recently recommended a statin, you may be wondering what it is and why it matters. You may also have heard conflicting information or myths about statins — so what’s actually true? Let’s dive in and break it down to plain language! Contents DISCLAIMER: While I…
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Understanding Obesity Beyond the Myths
By Dr Glady Ann Thomas, BDS Obesity is often discussed loudly in society but understood quietly. Many people know it is linked to a multitude of chronic diseases, yet few truly understand how. Even fewer feel supported when navigating it. Obesity is a chronic health condition influenced by far more than what someone eats. It…
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The Hidden Impact of Mpox Stigma
By Dr. Chinyere Martins-Odum, MBBS, BNSc Mpox, formerly called Monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. Beyond physical illness, it carries psychological and social sequelae. Contents DISCLAIMER: While I am a practising doctor, the information on this site is for educational purposes only. It does not take into account your personal circumstances, which can significantly affect medical…
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The Day I Learned My Fear Was My Body Trying to Protect Me
By Inaaya Ashraf Remember that time you were sitting in the waiting room, counting down the minutes until your name was called, and then you finally see your doctor for the blood test results? Something completely normal and common, right? Remember the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. The racing heartbeat. The sweaty palms? And…
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Living With an Eating Disorder in Midlife: Beyond Judgment and Stereotypes
By Shubhaa Forrest CONTENT WARNING — This article contains first-person discussion of anorexia, eating disorder behaviours, weight change, calorie restriction, and the psychological impact of long-term illness. Some readers may find this content distressing. Please take care while reading and consider seeking support if this raises difficult feelings. For support and practical guidance, you can…
The Health and Healing Narrative
Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.
The Health and Healing Narrative 