22 h. ago ‘You’re the only port of call for 400 hospital patients, which is absurd’: Matthew Hutchinson on the perils of life as an NHS doctor

He’s a rheumatologist, a standup comedian – and now the author of a memoir. He talks about racism in healthcare, why Covid was the only time urgent care was properly staffed – and his beef with cardiologistsAre You Really the Doctor?, Matthew Hutchinson’s memoir of being a black doctor in the NHS, opens in A&E with a patient suffering from a thunderclap headache and taking time out from his excruciating pain to complain that Hutchinson is “very scruffy”. “I’m wearing scrubs, the pyjama-like, hospital-issue uniform – something pretty difficult to put your own personal flair on,” Hutchinson writes, concluding wearily that the guy must have been reacting to something else: “Skin, hair, or general vibe.” You couldn’t call it a microaggression, the patient’s assumption that, being black, Hutchinson was unlikely to be an expert. But this anecdote barely registers on the Geiger counter of bigotry in healthcare that Hutchinson writes about trenchantly and acerbically, from the prejudice...

Science

42 h. ago ITV's Dr Amir Khan supported as he declares 'I'm not ashamed'

The NHS doctor and ITV star has been praised for 'keeping it real'

Politics

43 h. ago 'NHS doctors sent me home with antibiotics, now I can only use one of my arms'

Michael Gwyther is still searching for answers about his damaged arm months after a harrowing experience which started after he rushed to A&E at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales

Society

65 h. ago NHS doctors get new AI powered stethoscopes to instantly detect heart failure

The stethoscope - used by doctors since 1816 - has been upgraded to include artificial intelligence which can detect tiny differences in heartbeat

Events

2 d. ago Doctors sent me home with antibiotics. Now I can't use my arm

Michael Gwyther's arm was perfectly fine before he went in for emergency surgery, but when he regained consciousness he could no longer use his arm

Society

8 d. ago NHS doctor shares warning signs of heart attacks in women as they often go unnoticed

While many of us might think we know the common signs of heart attacks, an NHS doctor insists that symptoms in women often go unnoticed - and this can be extremely dangerous

Events

1 week ago Edinburgh locals 'treated by fake mental health doctor' as NHS alert issued

Police have arrested a man in connection with drugs and firearms offences following a search of a house in the Gracemount area of Edinburgh.

Society

1 week ago Peter Andre's wife admits 'I don't always get it right' in parenting confession

NHS doctor Emily MacDonagh has opened up on her family life with her husband Peter Andre as they prepare to mark their 10th wedding anniversary later this year

Politics

2 w. ago The Guardian view on Britain’s AI strategy: the risk is that it is dependency dressed up in digital hype | Editorial

The UK’s plans seem to outsource sovereignty for phantom efficiency. Public services provide the data and power while US tech giants reap the rewardsThere was a time when Britain aspired to be a leader in technology. These days, it seems content to be a willing supplicant – handing over its data, infrastructure and public services to US tech giants in exchange for the promise of a few percentage points of efficiency gains. Worryingly, the artificial intelligence strategy of Sir Keir Starmer’s government appears long on rhetoric, short on sovereignty and built on techno-utopian assumptions. Last week Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, was promoting the use of AI-generated discharge letters in the NHS. The tech, he said, will process complex conversations between doctors and patients, slashing paperwork and streamlining services. Ministers say that by applying AI across the public sector, the government can save £45bn.But step back and a more familiar pattern emerges. As Cecil...

Events

2 w. ago Pupils who want to be doctors 'barred' from vital work experience at NHS hospitals

Some of the UK's largest hospital trusts have effectively barred private-school pupils who want to be doctors from undertaking vital NHS work experience.

Science

2 w. ago NHS Scotland in fresh secrecy row after officials tried to withhold details about trans tribunal

NHS spin doctors tried to water down what information could be released to the public about the Sandie Peggie tribunal.

Politics

2 w. ago NHS Lanarkshire welcomes 103 new foundation year one doctors

Group recently graduated from medical school and will spend the next two years rotating through various specialties across the area's acute hospitals as part of the UK Foundation Programme.

Politics

2 w. ago NHS Fife admits it broke the law over allowing trans doctor to use female changing room

The equalities watchdog has said the health board must carry out an equality impact assessment ‘immediately’.

Society

2 w. ago Do you suffer from crippling heartburn? This is what really causes it, the surprising home remedies that can help... and the 'cures' you should avoid, by leading expert DR CAMERON BRADDY

Around one in four people experience heartburn from time to time - and while many presume medication is the only way to alleviate it, relief can be found using everyday items hiding in your kitchen cupboard.

Events

2 w. ago Bizarre hack could help banish painful leg cramps, top medic claims

An UK NHS doctor has shared a simple hack that may help alleviated horrible leg muscle cramps.

Politics

2 w. ago How a bowel cancer examination revealed AI’s negative impact on doctors

Academics said that the finding is concerning given the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) across healthcare

Science

2 w. ago Health Secretary Wes Streeting admits there could be MORE NHS strikes

The Health Secretary welcomed the fact the British Medical Association (BMA) has agreed to use August as a 'window for negotiations' as a 'step in the right direction'.

Society

3 w. ago Could YOU have hidden autism? Doctor shares ten questions which could reveal if you do

The prompts are taken from the AQ-19 test, a widely used screening tool for people aged 16 and over, which helps doctors decide whether a full autism assessment is necessary.

Politics

3 w. ago Warning of NHS staffing crisis as fifth of doctors tempted to move abroad

General Medical Council warns of ‘ongoing risks to retention of doctors’ in latest report

Events

3 w. ago NHS facing exodus of doctors as 1 in 8 say they're looking to leave UK and go abroad

Labour's pledge to cut NHS waits is at risk as one in five doctors are considering quitting - with many looking to move abroad, the medical regulator has warned.

Politics