NHS Hot Topics

What happened Junior doctors in England have staged strikes several times, with a significant dispute occurring in 2016 over changes to their contract...

What happened During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government considered mandating vaccinations for all NHS staff to protect patients, especially the mos...

What happened Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a huge problem worldwide. In simple terms, overusing or misusing antibiotics has caused bacte...

What happened A&E waiting times have been a huge challenge for the NHS. The target is for 95% of patients to be admitted, transferred, or discharged w...

What happened Privatisation in the NHS means some services are run by private companies instead of directly by the NHS. For example, private companies...

What happened The UK introduced a sugar tax in 2018 to try and reduce the amount of sugar people consume in drinks like fizzy pop. This is because obe...

What happened Public health is all about preventing illness and improving the health of whole communities. It includes things like vaccination campaig...

What happened Brexit has caused some big changes for the NHS, with 52% voting to leave the EU. Many healthcare workers from the EU have left the UK, l...

What happened The UK's population is getting older, which means more people need healthcare for long-term conditions like arthritis or dementia. This...

What happened The postcode lottery means that the quality of NHS care can vary depending on where you live. For example, some areas might have shorter...

What happened Every winter, the NHS faces extra pressure due to an increase in patients needing urgent care, such as for flu, respiratory illnesses, a...

What happened The Bawa-Garba case involved a junior doctor convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after a six-year-old boy died under her care in...

What happened Charlie Gard was an infant with a rare genetic disorder. His parents raised funds to pursue experimental treatment in the US, but doctor...

What happened Alfie Evans was a toddler with a degenerative brain condition. His parents wanted to take him to Italy for further treatment, but doctor...

What happened Primary care includes services like GPs, dentists, and community pharmacies. It's the first point of contact for most NHS patients and p...

What happened In 2020, the UK introduced an opt-out system for organ donation, meaning people are presumed to consent unless they choose not to. This...

Difference between euthanasia and assisted dying ​Euthanasia = a healthcare professional actively ending a patient's life. Assisted dying = a medicati...

What is it? Whistleblowing refers to NHS staff speaking out about unsafe practices, poor care, or other issues within the system. High-profile cases,...

What happened The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest challenges the NHS has ever faced. It led to overwhelmed hospitals, staff burnout, and dela...

Campaigns​ The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently launched the "Get Vaccinated. Get Winter Strong." campaign to encourage eligible people to g...

What happened HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) used to be a life-threatening condition, but advances in treatments like antiretroviral therapy (ART)...

What happened The NHS is responsible for 4% of the UK's carbon emissions, making it one of the country's largest contributors to climate change. To ta...

What are the 6 core values? The NHS is built on six core values: - Working together for patients - Respect and dignity - Commitment to quality of care...

Overview Global warming is having a direct impact on health, with rising temperatures leading to more heat-related illnesses, poor air quality causing...

READ BEFORE CONTINUING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN THIS CATEGORY​ For all the questions in this category, our mark schemes follow the structure outlined in...