More than 1,000 people with suspected dementia are set to take part in a UK trial of a pioneering blood test that could transform the way Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. The test, which detects biomarkers linked to abnormal proteins in the brain, will be used alongside traditional cognitive assessments that often fail to identify the disease in its early stages. Scientists at University College London (UCL), who are leading the study, believe the test could raise diagnostic accuracy from 70% to over 90%.

Recruitment has already begun at a memory clinic in Essex, with 19 further NHS centres expected to join. The test measures a marker called p-tau217, which reflects the build-up of amyloid and tau proteins – the key biological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. Unlike costly brain scans or invasive lumbar punctures, which only a small minority of patients ever undergo, the blood test offers a cheaper and simpler option at around £100. Researchers will also assess whether providing results more quickly improves decision-making for both doctors and patients.

The trial, known as ADAPT, is supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery. Professor Jonathan Schott of UCL described it as a “critical step” towards revolutionising dementia diagnosis, especially as new treatments for early-stage Alzheimer’s edge closer to approval.

For families affected, the test could be life-changing. Steven Pidwill, whose wife Rachel was diagnosed nearly a decade ago, said a reliable blood test would be a “gamechanger”, helping people view Alzheimer’s as a manageable condition rather than a taboo. Results from the study are expected within three years.

For the first time, more children worldwide are living with obesity than being underweight, according to new Unicef research. The study shows nearly one in ten children and adolescents aged five to nineteen – around 188 million globally – are now obese. Researchers link this to a growing reliance on cheap, ultra-processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, which are replacing traditional, healthier diets.

While undernutrition, particularly stunting and wasting in under-fives, remains a challenge in many low and middle-income countries, the balance is shifting. Since 2000, underweight prevalence in older children has dropped from nearly 13% to 9.2%. In the same period, obesity has tripled from 3% to 9.4%. Today, around one in five school-aged children are overweight, amounting to an estimated 391 million worldwide.

The impact is felt across regions. Obesity rates surpass underweight in almost every part of the globe, with the exception of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Small Pacific Island nations face the steepest crisis, with obesity rates above 30% in some. Wealthier nations are also heavily affected, with more than a fifth of children classed as obese in countries such as the US, Chile, and the UAE.

Unicef warns of both health and economic fallout if action is not taken. By 2035, the global financial burden of obesity could top US$4 trillion annually. The agency is urging governments to act decisively – from taxing unhealthy food and drink to banning ultra-processed products from schools, reformulating products, and ensuring food policy remains free from industry interference.

Ministers have announced proposals to prevent anyone under 16 in England from buying energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Prime. The restriction, which would cover shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online sales, follows mounting concern from parents and teachers about the health risks these drinks pose to young people. Although many supermarkets already enforce voluntary age limits, surveys suggest up to a third of children in the UK still consume them weekly.

Energy drinks often contain extremely high levels of caffeine – in some cases more than double the amount found in two cups of coffee. Experts warn that over-consumption can lead to sleep problems, headaches and, in rare cases, dangerous heart rhythms or seizures. The sugary varieties also raise risks of tooth decay and obesity. The Association of UK Dieticians has urged families to be cautious, while paediatric specialists argue the drinks have “no place” in children’s diets.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the move was essential to protect children’s wellbeing, stressing that the government had been urged to act by schools, parents and young people themselves. A 12-week consultation will now gather views from medical professionals, retailers and the public before legislation is finalised. Streeting indicated the ban would be introduced well before the end of the current parliament.

Campaigners highlight that young people are especially vulnerable, with energy drinks marketed through bright packaging, influencers and flavours designed to appeal to teenagers. Critics in the soft drinks industry argue that manufacturers already impose voluntary restrictions, but health leaders insist compulsory regulation is necessary to curb long-term harm. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also weighing similar measures.

A patient safety initiative known as Martha’s Rule will now be introduced across all acute hospitals in England. The scheme, designed to give families a direct route to request urgent second opinions, was created in memory of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died at King’s College Hospital in London after her parents’ concerns went unheard.

Since its pilot launch in April 2024, the dedicated helpline has logged almost 5,000 calls. NHS England figures show the service has already had a major impact, with 241 cases judged to have led to potentially life-saving changes. In many instances, calls resulted in new treatments, quicker investigations or the resolution of communication breakdowns between staff and relatives.

Martha’s mother, journalist Merope Mills, marked what would have been her daughter’s 18th birthday by welcoming the expansion. She described the data as proof of both the scheme’s effectiveness and the need for a “more equal doctor–patient relationship.” However, she emphasised the importance of extending the system beyond England, particularly in maternity services, where failures to listen to families have been repeatedly highlighted.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the determination of Martha’s family and said he would share results with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While Wales is developing a similar programme, and Scotland is piloting local schemes, Northern Ireland has not yet committed to introducing the initiative. A full evaluation of Martha’s Rule is underway, with future plans to consider its use in mental health, community care and long-term treatment settings.

East Surrey Hospital in Redhill has been rated “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a step down from its previous “outstanding” grade. Inspectors visited in September 2024, and although the report has only just been published due to restructuring within the watchdog, some corrective measures have already been introduced.

The review highlighted declines in several key areas. “Medical care” dropped from outstanding to requires improvement, while “safe” and “well-led” both slipped from good to requires improvement. The hospital retained an outstanding rating for “caring” and a good rating for “effective” and “responsive”, but the overall result reflected the weaker scores in leadership and safety.

Paul Simpson, acting chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said the inspection took place during a particularly difficult period. He stressed that while inspectors acknowledged the dedication and compassion shown by staff, improvements were needed in how services were managed and in maintaining patient safety. He added that ensuring safe, high-quality care remained the trust’s top priority.

Since the inspection, the trust says it has taken significant action, including strengthening governance systems, introducing a round-the-clock Freedom to Speak Up service, and enhancing medicines safety protocols. Leaders at the trust say they are committed to regaining an outstanding rating across all services and restoring public confidence.

From January next year, the NHS will begin offering a free chickenpox vaccine to children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The jab will be given in two doses at 12 and 18 months, alongside the current MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. A separate catch-up programme will also be in place to ensure slightly older children don’t miss out. Until now, parents wanting protection for their child have typically had to pay privately, with costs reaching around £200.

Chickenpox is usually mild, but in some cases can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and, very rarely, death. It is more dangerous for babies, adults and pregnant women. Health experts say the vaccine will significantly reduce the number of infections and hospitalisations. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) gave the go-ahead last year, following concerns in previous decades that reduced exposure could increase cases of shingles later in life.

The government believes the rollout will not only protect children but also ease the burden on working families, with chickenpox currently estimated to cost the UK £24m a year in lost productivity. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the decision puts “children’s health first” and will save parents from having to take time off work.

Doctors and parents alike have welcomed the move, with some describing the vaccine as potentially “life-saving.” Scotland is expected to follow with a similar programme, although no date has yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, the government is planning new campaigns to encourage vaccine uptake, after data showed childhood immunisation rates remain below target levels.

Individuals who miss their cervical screening appointments will soon be given the option to test themselves at home. Under new plans from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), those who do not respond to a screening invite within six months will automatically be sent a self-sampling kit, which can be returned by pre-paid post.

The move follows large-scale trials – including YouScreen and HPValidate – which showed that at-home testing could significantly increase participation. YouScreen suggested up to 400,000 extra people could be screened annually, while HPValidate identified the most accurate and user-friendly swabs for home use. Based on this evidence, the UK National Screening Committee recommended self-sampling earlier this year, and NHS England intends to begin rolling it out from 2026.

If a home test detects high-risk HPV – the virus responsible for almost all cervical cancers – patients will be referred for a follow-up appointment with a clinician. While self-sampling cannot currently identify abnormal cervical cells, experts believe it is a vital step in helping more people take part in screening. Surveys show that embarrassment, fear of pain, and time pressures are key reasons why many do not attend appointments.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, welcomed the move: “Giving people the choice to test in their own home will break down barriers, increase uptake, and ultimately save lives.”

A successful lung health initiative is being widened across Norfolk and Waveney after proving effective in detecting cancer at earlier stages. The programme, aimed at smokers and former smokers aged 55 to 74, first began in Great Yarmouth in 2022 before moving into Lowestoft. It will now be available to thousands more residents across the region.

Figures from NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board reveal that, of 8,000 people who underwent checks, 70 cases of lung cancer were identified. Encouragingly, 70% of these diagnoses were made at an early stage when treatment is most effective. Dr Suzanne Phillips, from the ICB, said the response so far has been “fantastic”, and that the expansion would help more people benefit from potentially life-saving scans.

The rollout is being introduced in phases, with eligible individuals invited directly. Dr Phillips emphasised the importance of waiting for an invitation before booking, adding that lung cancer often has few warning signs in its early stages, making proactive screening essential.

To mark the expansion, a community event will be held on Tuesday 26 August at the TIC mobile unit, located in Sainsbury’s car park on King’s Lynn’s Hardwick industrial estate. Running from 10:00 to 13:00, the event will offer free health checks and provide information on the screening process.

England’s NHS waiting list grew slightly in June, reaching 7.37 million people — up by 10,000 from the previous month. While this is still lower than the peak of 7.62 million recorded last year, analysts suggest the numbers may be influenced by patients being removed from the list without receiving treatment. Such removals can occur when patients recover, seek private care, or, in some cases, pass away.

Hospitals have been encouraged for years to carry out “validation” exercises to remove people who no longer require treatment, with financial incentives offered for doing so. Documents seen by the BBC reveal that between March and April alone, these checks reduced the list by 100,000. Without this, the total would have risen. The Nuffield Trust, however, believes the true figure could be even higher, averaging more than 200,000 removals per month over the last two years.

Dr Becks Fisher from the Nuffield Trust warned that while validation is often necessary, it can give the misleading impression that waiting list reductions are the result of treating more patients. In reality, referrals continue to outpace treatments delivered.

The Department of Health and Social Care defended the approach, insisting that validation helps ensure patients receive the right care promptly and improves efficiency, while stressing that the NHS is still treating increasing numbers of patients.

England’s Chief Nursing Officer, Duncan Burton, is calling on male students receiving their exam results to consider a career in nursing and healthcare, challenging outdated views of the profession. As the first man to hold the role, Burton emphasises the rewards and opportunities nursing offers, highlighting that men currently make up just one in eight nurses and health visitors in the NHS.

His appeal coincides with the government’s new Graduate Guarantee, which ensures job opportunities for every newly qualified nurse and midwife this year. Students entering UCAS clearing are being encouraged to explore healthcare degrees, leading to over 300 career paths, including nursing, midwifery and allied health professions such as occupational therapy and radiography. Apprenticeships and healthcare support worker roles also offer alternative routes for those not choosing traditional university study.

Burton, who has worked in nursing for nearly three decades, believes the workforce should reflect the communities it serves, stating that diversity leads to better patient care. He urges young men not to be discouraged by stereotypes, stressing that nursing welcomes people from all backgrounds.

Father and son Peter and Connor McKiernan, both nurses at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, share how their careers have been fulfilling and varied. From emergency care to specialist roles, they demonstrate that compassion, resilience and commitment - not gender - define success in nursing.