The Health and Healing Narrative

Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.

The Science Spotlight

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • Cartoon illustration comparing oral tablet PrEP and injectable PrEP for HIV prevention.

    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…

  • Redefining “Women”: What The UK Supreme Court Ruling Could Mean For The NHS

    Today marks IDAHOTB — the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. It’s a day to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, to confront stigma, and to advocate for more inclusive societies. In light of this, we’re examining a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that has sparked widespread debate: a decision which reaffirms that, under the…

  • The IVF Postcode Lottery: What is IVF, and Why Does Access Vary in The UK?

    In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) has given hope to millions of people around the world who dream of starting a family, with over 10 million children having been born worldwide through IVF since 1978. Yet, funding for accessing this life-changing treatment in the UK often depends on where you live – a phenomenon referred to as…

  • Ozempic: The Weight Loss “Wonder Drug” That Has Taken The World By Storm

    What Is Ozempic, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It? Ozempic, a brand name for the drug semaglutide, has recently catapulted into the spotlight. Often dubbed the “skinny jab“, it’s garnered the attention of celebrities, influencers, and the general public alike. Weight-loss treatments have always captured public interest, from thyroid extract in the 1890s, to…

  • The Running Replacement: Could A Pill be The Future Of Fitness?

    Picture all the health benefits of running a 10K run. Lowered risk of having a heart attack or stroke, effective weight management – the list goes on. Now, picture these health benefits, but without having to break into a sweat. Researchers in metabolism from Aarhus University in Denmark have developed a pill that does just…

The Latest From The Blog