You may have heard about the groundbreaking research conducted by researchers as a part of the RECOVERY trial, which looked at a number of medicines for the treatment of COVID-19. One of the drugs studied, dexamethasone, was shown to significantly reduce death in groups of patients with COVID-19, and since these results were published, it…

In 2018, following mounting public pressure from several national campaigns, Jeremy Hunt, Health and Social Care Secretary, ordered an independent review into the issues surrounding vaginal mesh. This investigation revealed significant shortcuts were taken during the research and implementation of these products. Thousands of patients are thought to have been affected, with many suffering from…

On Sunday 5 July 1948, Britain’s National Health Service was born. Beveridge Report The NHS as we know it today developed from a government report written during the darkest days of World War II by the economist, Sir William Beveridge. The 1942 Beveridge Report reimagined the postwar nation, with the establishment of a welfare state…

Welcome to another post in the Hot Talk Thursday blog series, where we explore topical issues in medicine. Last week’s post (which you can find here) explored the ethics of organ donation, in particular the move towards an opt-out system. This week we explore the use of new contact tracing apps – apps on your…

Organ donation is an issue that involves complex ethical and legal considerations, which have recently been brought to light in the news about ‘Max and Keira’s Law’ brought into enforcement in England. Max and Keira’s Law (officially: Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019) The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019 was a bill passed in…