Islington Covid cases: MP urges caution amid hotspot data
Islington MP Emily Thornberry urges caution as UKHSA data shows 58.3% PCR positivity on October 9, but council says low testing volumes skew figures.
Category : Health Policy
Couple earning £205k faced £40k childcare costs
A couple earning £205,000 a year feared they couldn't afford a second child due to £40,000 annual childcare costs, losing benefits over the £100,000 income threshold.
London hospital staff strike again over 'poverty-level' pay
Nearly 300 cleaners and porters at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust begin a three-day strike over pay and management issues, with a march to Downing Street planned.
Map reveals London's smoking hotspots as Haringey tops table
Haringey has London's highest smoking rate at 18.8%, while Wandsworth has the lowest at 4.7%, as new ONS data shows e-cigarette use now surpasses smoking across Great Britain.
Rape survivors face 7-year waits for trial in North London
Rape survivors in North London face waits of over seven years for trial, with one case set for 2029. Specialist courts and fixed dates are being introduced to tackle delays.
Croydon man guilty of murdering partner Sarah Reynolds
Earlston Bennett, 58, from Croydon, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of murdering Sarah Reynolds and controlling and coercive behaviour, following years of abuse.
Lambeth leaseholder slams 'spectacular overcharging'
A Lambeth leaseholder criticises a council report for failing to reflect service charge errors, including overcharging for grounds maintenance and a faulty door entry system, prompting a working group.
Sutton Leisure Centre Urges Swimmers to Keep Costumes On
Parents at Westcroft Leisure Centre call for segregated showers after complaints about men washing genitals in communal area. Council asks operator to review procedures.
NHS toe amputation risk after podiatry failures
A diabetic patient faces losing her toe after gangrene developed following podiatry surgery, an investigation into Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust found.
Trans People in UK Face New Reality After Equality Guidance
New UK guidance following a Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights leaves trans woman Amelia fearing bathroom access, prompting protests in Parliament and political debate.
UK bosses must meet staff who request flexible working
Employers will be forced to hold face-to-face meetings with staff requesting flexible working and justify any refusal, Louise Haigh announced at the TUC conference.
Mayor's Disability Plan Criticized as Lacking Ambition
Mayor Sadiq Khan's first Disability Action Plan for London's 1.2 million Deaf and Disabled residents faces criticism for lacking ambition and investment, despite promising practical action on transport, housing, and safety.
Schools to cut sugary desserts in new food standards
New school food standards in England will limit sweetened desserts, restrict sugary drinks and deep-fried foods, and require more wholegrains and vegetables to tackle childhood obesity and tooth decay.
NHS urges Black Londoners to donate blood for sickle cell patients
NHS urges Black Londoners to give blood for sickle cell patients, as only 3% of donors are Black despite higher likelihood of needed Ro blood type.
Molly Ticehurst's Parents' 870-Day Fight for Justice
After 870 days, Molly Ticehurst's parents saw her killer jailed for 28 years. Their advocacy for stricter bail laws may save other women.
UK reviews surrogacy firm after Mexico insurance claims rejected
UK government reviews My Surrogacy Journey listing on gov.uk after surrogates in Mexico had insurance claims rejected, leaving parents with huge bills.
Plibersek: Mother's Fear Amid Record Sexual Violence Reports
Social services minister Tanya Plibersek shared a mother's letter as Australia's annual report shows sexual violence reports at highest level ever in 2024, dropping less than 1% last year.
Coalition's 80% tobacco excise cut plan rejected by health experts
Health experts, AMA, and Labor reject Coalition's 80% tobacco excise cut, warning it will increase smoking rates and undermine public health efforts.
US health officials exclude Pennsylvania measles deaths
US health officials are not including two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in national counts, a departure from standard practice that has drawn criticism from former CDC officials.
US Open's Rising Costs: From $65 Grounds Passes to $100 Nuggets
The US Open's transformation into a luxury event has led to record crowds, premium seating, and a resale market that prices out ordinary fans, sparking rare bipartisan criticism.
Treasury manager 'ambushed' worker before suicide, parents claim
Parents of Chloe Moffat, 26, who died by suicide in May 2025, question why her manager 'ambushed' her over office gossip, after a coroner ruled the Treasury 'materially contributed' to her death.
Statins cut heart attack and stroke risk in healthy over-70s
A world-first Australian-led trial found daily statins reduce the risk of a first major cardiovascular event by 30% in healthy people over 70, with low side-effect risk.
FDA approves updated Covid vaccines for XFG variant
The FDA approved updated Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech on Thursday, targeting the dominant XFG variant, allowing manufacturers to begin shipping doses for the 2026-27 season.
London homes 'ovens' risk 1m children, mayor warned
A report warns over 1 million London children are at risk as 75% of social housing overheats. Mayor urged to accelerate retrofitting.
NHS reviews 111 triage after woman's death
NHS England is reviewing triage training after Mulu Yohanes, 53, died from brain damage following a 111 call that advised home care for post-surgery vomiting.
Toxic chemicals found in 85% of personal care products
A peer-reviewed study found unlabeled toxic chemicals in 85% of 113 personal care products, including items labeled 'green' or 'natural', raising safety concerns.
Queensland holds out on NDIS replacement Thriving Kids
Queensland is the only state yet to sign up for Thriving Kids, the NDIS replacement for children with autism, leaving families uncertain as funding ends by 2028.
Stop Brutal Hysteroscopies Without Pain Relief, Patient Says
Carole Kendall, who endured three hysteroscopies with basic pain relief, calls for the NHS to offer women better options, including a recovery space, and criticises a system biased against women compared to men having colonoscopies.
Croydon Council error forced family to sell gran’s home for care
A grieving family was forced to sell their grandmother’s home after Croydon Council wrongly charged care fees. The Ombudsman ordered the council to repay £75,000 plus interest.
Dementia deaths double in Australia in 15 years
Dementia deaths in Australia more than doubled from 2009 to 2024, with over 1 million Australians projected to live with dementia by 2065 without significant intervention, says Dementia Australia.
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