The Health and Healing Narrative

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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…
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…
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…
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”…
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…
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…
Understanding Lab Results: Why “Abnormal” Doesn’t Always Mean Something Is Wrong

By Dr Alisha Naaz, PharmD For many patients, the most stressful part of a medical test is not the needle, the waiting room, or even the diagnosis. It is the opening of a laboratory (lab) report. A routine blood test is done. A few days later, the results of the report arrive through the NHS…
Lift Your Way to Better Health: Why Weight Training Matters at All Ages

It’s January, and chances are you’ve headed back to the gym, determined to get fitter and stronger—or at least thought about it. I know I have. But as the year goes on, and the days get shorter and darker, it can be surprisingly hard to maintain the same enthusiasm you felt on New Year’s Day.…
When the Chatbot Sounds Kinder Than Your Inner Critic: Using AI Without Outsourcing Your Healing

By Alexander Amatus, MBA There is a particular kind of loneliness that arrives at night. Not the dramatic sort. The quiet one. The one where you’re still functional – you’re paying bills, replying to messages, showing up – but inside you feel frayed at the edges, like your nervous system has been running without a…
How to Build Habits That Stick This New Year: The Science of Habit Formation

Ever pick up your phone to check a notification, only to look up 30 minutes later wondering where the time went? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That disappearing time isn’t just poor self-control – it’s a habit. By definition, habits are behaviours we repeat regularly, often without even noticing. Some are helpful, others… less…