Physiotherapy is a total waste of time... at least, that's what some doctors are saying for many people who are offered it to help ease aches and pains. So why are millions of us prescribed it every year? Health reporter Ethan Ennals reveals his own struggles with injuries and his frustration at lengthy and repeated courses of physiotherapy treatment that didn't make any difference. And Barney speaks to top GP Dr Mike Smith about why he thinks many patients end up in similar situations.Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefield Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One in three men over-65 will experience urinary incontinence, so why is barely anything done to support them?Ethan Ennals and Pat Hagan speak to Prostate Cancer UK's Chiara de Biase about the charity's campaign to create new laws that will help men with bladder issues.Meanwhile, prostate cancer survivor Jonathan Hall explains what it's like to live with incontinence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly 300,000 women will now be offered a daily pill that cuts the risk of breast cancer in half, but top doctors worry that many patients are unaware of the debilitating side effects.Ethan Ennals speaks to GP and MoS columnist Dr Philippa Kaye about weighing up the benefits and risks of anastrozole.Meanwhile two patients recount what it is like to take the tablet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, the BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty told a Parliamentary inquiry that she lived in pain for three decades and was told by GPs to ‘suck it up’ before doctors finally diagnosed her with adenomyosis. Shockingly, she is not alone.This week, Ethan Ennals explores why the NHS has such a severe sexism problem. He speaks to GP and MoS columnist Dr Philippa Kaye who explains this isn’t just a male doctor problem – female clinicians can also fail to take women’s health as seriously as men’s. Meanwhile patient Fiona Jackson recounts a painful and terrifying coil-fitting which could have been avoided had her male GP listened to her concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 150,000 Britons travelled to Turkey for a cosmetic op last year, but NHS surgeons report they are increasingly seeing patients who return from a trip with horrific complications, and there have now been 25 deaths. The team speak to obesity expert Professor David Kerrigan who warns that cut price Turkish gastric bypass ops can end in catastrophe. Follow us on X.com: @MedMinefieldmedicalminefield.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NHS junior doctor Jatinder Hayre reveals the truth about physician associates, the new hospital workers who treat patients are just two years training. In his hospital, these low-skilled medics are bending the rules to write prescriptions - something only a doctor or highly qualified nurse is legally be allowed to do - and even performing spine procedures on patients. Is this really the answer to the waiting list crisis engulfing the post-pandemic health service?Follow us on X.com: @MedMinefieldmedicalminefield.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From this month on, people born using a sperm bank in the UK who turn 18 will be able to find out the identity of their biological father because of a landmark change in the law back in 2005, barring anonymous donation. But what of those conceived before the change? This week Barney and award-winning health reporter Jo Macfarlane hear from Dr Joanna Rose who has spent the past 30 years searching for her 'real' dad. Now 51, she reveals that she's finally found him - but, while she is optimistic about finally unlocking the mysteries of her identity, others of her lost generation are consigned to being left in the dark about their origins.Follow us on X.com: @MedMinefieldmedicalminefield.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week Barney and Eve discuss the controversy that continues to rage around ultra-processed foods, and examine the truth about extraordinary claims that scientists are paid off by junk food companies to cover up the truth: that they're as harmful to our health as tobacco. They also speak to Kings College London psychiatry expert Professor Carmine Pariante and psychologist Kimberley Wilson about research that seems to show ultra-processed food has an impact on mental health. Follow us on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport us at www.medicalminefield.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the team talk about concerns for the health of YouTube star Eugenia Cooney, who is severely underweight. Eve, who was hospitalised with anorexia in her 20s, asked the social media giants why they weren't stepping in to take the Eugenia off air, in a bid to force her into treatment - and was given some surprising answers. And we hear from eating disorders specialist dietitian Renee McGregor, who explains how simply watching her videos could trigger worsening symptoms in vulnerable people with eating disorders. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Barney and Eve get a sneak preview of a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary - hosted by Supersize vs Superskinny and Naked Attraction presenter Anna Richardson - which exposes the dangerous world of fake Ozempic and Wegovy, the 'miracle' skinny jabs. And the team ask... why have SO many once-curvy celebs recently begun looking so incredibly slim? Just diet and exercise, or have they had a little chemical help? With science guru Vivienne Perry and award winning health reporter Jo Macfarlane.  Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That’s pretty much the conclusion of a number of recent articles written about the popular fertility treatment – said to put a pause on a woman’s biological clock. The Medical Minefield team hear from one young woman, Charlie, who deeply regrets undergoing the procedure, describing it as painful and not worth the month of tests, scans and bloating. But Emma Kafton, from fertility clinic Evewell, who perform hundreds of egg freezing procedures, says that, under the right supervision, it can be a huge success. But with fewer than 40 babies born from frozen eggs a year in the UK, how do we know it works? Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another study shed light on the supposed dangers of ultra-processed food this week – but Barney and Eve are sceptical. Are the frozen chips and burgers that they grew up on really that bad? Rob Percival, Head of Food Policy at The Soil Association, explains exactly why these foods should be limited – and it’s not just because they’re calorific, he says. Meanwhile, ITV’s resident GP Dr Hilary Jones explains why he too is taking a stand against ultra-processed foods, but caveats that there’s nothing wrong with a few burgers a week. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid reports from concerned doctors that women are taking risky megadoses, Barney speaks to Davina McCall's menopause GP Naomi Harris, who says she's worried that patients are getting medical advice from their hairdressers and other unreliable sources, and from Birmingham-based consultant gynaecologist Lynne Robinson, who says hormone over-treatment can lead to serious health problems.  Follow us on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Eve reveals that she was approached by the BBC to appear in a recent documentary about antidepressants. Her interview hit the cutting room floor, and she can't help wonder, having watched the resulting film, whether it was because she wasn't anti-antidepressants enough? And the team speak to mood disorders specialist Professor Allan Young, who says debate is important when it comes to psychiatric treatment, but that recent media coverage simply focusing on the negatives could be causing harm.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we all getting fatter due to sedentary lifestyles? Or is exercising for weight loss pointless? This week, Dr Chris van Tulleken, BBC presenter and author of the best seller Ultra Processed People, explains how science has shown we'd burn the same number of calories working in a desk job as we would if we were hunter-gatherers in Tanzania. And Cambridge University obesity expert Professor Giles Yeo explain why he didn't lose a single pound on a 1,000km bike ride across the UK. Follow us on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eve and Ethan talk to Angela Chesworth who lost 168lbs in a year after having gastric bypass surgery - but far from giving her a new lease of life, it sent her plummeting into depression. And Dr Alex Miras an expert in obesity at Imperial College London reveals how weight loss ops can trigger some very unexpected mental health 'side effects'.  Follow us on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid a global shortage of weight loss jab Ozempic, UK health chiefs have banned doctors from prescribing it as a slimming aid for non-diabetics. But speaking to Medical Minefield, Professor Carel Le Roux - and expert in metabolic medicine at Ulster University -  argues that obesity alone is a disease, and should be treated with the jab, just like diabetes is. The team also hear from one 72 year-old woman who has taken Ozempic for weight loss, but says she wouldn’t do it again. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefield  Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Barney and Eve are taking a closer look at the new Alzheimer’s wonder drug donanemab - is it all it’s cracked up to be? Headlines are calling it a revolutionary treatment and some patients have said their dementia symptoms reversed. But Rob Howard, professor of old-age psychiatry at University College London, insists that the treatment, and evidence, need to be approached  Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a recent study suggested hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of dementia by a worrying 24 per cent - contradicting other research that shows it could protect against against it - Barney and Eve try to find the truth behind the headlines. We hear from hormone expert Professor Annice Mukherjee and menopause specialist Dr Naomi Potter who both say women shouldn't panic, but also warn against believe too much of the hype.  Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Eve talks to one of the authors of a new paper that is calling for more young women with eating disorders to be offered HRT. The researchers behind it – a group of menopause specialists and gynaecologists – claim the treatment could be vital for protecting young women from brittle bone disorders, like osteoporosis. But Eve, who had anorexia in her 20s, is unconvinced. She speaks to eating disorder campaigner Hope Virgo about why the medication could in fact prove detrimental to long term recovery. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last month two groups of psychiatrists have been battling on Twitter about the efficacy of antidepressants. On one side of the debate is psychiatry researcher Professor Joanna Moncrieff from University College London, who says there is little good evidence that the most common type of mood boosters – SSRIs – can help beat depression. The side effects, she says, are simply not worth it. But Dr Sameer Jauhar – a consultant psychiatrist from Kings College London – has written an entire scientific paper to outline the flaws in Moncrieff’s argument. The pills do work, he says, and we have a good idea as to how. Who is right? Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about late term abortions. If you need to speak to someone for help, please contact Samaritans on 116 123. This week, Barney and Eve discuss a sensitive topic: abortion. In light of the recent sentencing of a British woman to jail time after having an illegal late-term abortion, women’s health advocates are calling for complete decriminalisation of the procedure.  We hear from Emma Milne, Associate Professor in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at Durham Law School about what this would mean in practice; and to Dr Caroline Scherf, consultant in sexual and reproductive health from the British Society of Abortion Care Providers, about why she believes no woman should face punishments for having an abortion, no matter how late.  Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee <a href

This week we discuss the latest bizarre cosmetic surgery craze: buccal fat removal. Both men and women are asking surgeons to hollow out their face in a bid to replicate the taught, chiseled look of models and popstars. But in this weekend's Mail on Sunday, top experts are warning against the procedure due to the serious risks. The Medical Minefield ask beauty guru Ashley Stobart why she was attracted her to the procedure - and what eventually put her off - while consultant plastic surgeon Dr Monica Fawzy explains how the op can leave patients with a frozen face - and looking 10 years older. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Barney and Eve are looking ahead to Davina McCall’s upcoming documentary about The Pill. Davina has hinted that she will be exploring the negative side effects of the pill, and Barney and Eve hear from experts who are concerned about scare stories leading to women stopping the conceptive… and unplanned pregnancies. We hear from GP and women’s health ambassador Dr. Philippa Kaye and to Dr. Paula Briggs, consultant in sexual and reproductive health at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, who say although it might not be right for every woman, the pill is safe and effective. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Barney and Ethan are once again discussing semaglutide, but this time about its reported additional benefits of reducing patient’s bad habits. Users of the weight loss drug claim to feel reduced urges to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and even bite their nails. Could this be how humanity is cured of addictions? We hear from Dr Tony Goldstone, Associate Professor of Brian Sciences at Imperial College London, who is excited about the new data but does think we need to wait to see more evidence; and to Dr Asher Larmy, outspoken GP and fat activist, who has long been against semaglutide and says the pharmaceutical industry is pushing drugs that don’t work to ‘people with bigger bodies’ simply to make money. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listen

This week, Barney and Ethan Ennals talk vapes. Barney has recently quit after a year and is looking for reasons to not pick it back up. Deborah Arnott, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health, says while we don’t know what the long term side effects are, our main priority should be to keep vapes out of the hands of children; while Professor John Britton, consultant in respiratory medicine at the University of Nottingham, says while there is no evidence that vaping is worse for you than, say breathing city smog, it’s probably not a smart thing to start doing if you’re not trying to quit smoking cigarettes.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Barney and Eve review findings published by the ground-breaking UK-funded Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) looking at people who tried a low-calorie diet to bring their diabetes intro remission. Can we call it successful if most people on it gain back all the weight they lost? We hear from June, an 86 year old woman who tried out the soup and shake diet and lost 3 stone, only to gain it all back soon after; and to Dr. Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, who believes this research has paved the way for better understanding of weight loss.  Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Eve looks at the latest big bad wolf of the nutrition world: Ultra-processed food. A host of a claims have been made about the products – like ready meals, cereals and supermarket bread – over the past few months, including that it’s addictive and to blame for the nation’s obesity problem. But Gunter Kuhnle, Professor of nutrition at Reading University, says the vilification of these types of foods is unjustified. In fact, he says, if you only ate processed food, you could be perfectly healthy. But Rob Percival, food policy expert from the Soil Association, disagrees, and explains why he thinks some of Britain’s best-loved meals are making us ill. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privac

It’s a controversial idea that has been hotly debated in the psychiatric community – are some patients with deadly anorexia simply too difficult to treat? The Medical Minefield team hear from campaigner Hope Virgo, who says that increasing numbers of NHS doctors are taking this stance, discharging patients who are still very unwell. We hear the upsetting story of one such patient, who was ‘given up on’ by her hospital team after seven years in treatment. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefield  Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Medical Minefield, the team is talking about smacking children, after the Government rejected a call to ban it in England. Was this the right move? Barney and Eve speak with mother of three Christine, who says she does not regret smacking her children when they were younger and claims they have since grown into wonderful adults; and from Dr Robert Larzelere of Oklahoma State University, and expert on child disciplinary methods, who says smacking is a good method for getting unruly children to cooperate when used properly. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefield<a href="h

This week, Barney and Eve examine claims that the menopause is so horrendous, it is responsible for a number of suicides in mid-life women. Do the figures stack up? They hear from Instagram’s favourite gynaecologist Dr Jennifer Gunter, who says suicidal thoughts are far more complex than a simple hormone deficiency, while campaigner Rachel Lankester, founder of menopause information group MenoClarity, explains her fears that ‘scaremongering’ messages about the hormonal change could make symptoms worse. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barney and Eve have become disturbed by a new fitness trend: tweens in the gym. With most of them glued to the weights machines for big muscles, or doing endless squats for a toned booty, should we be worried? The pair hear from a London-based teacher who says she’s been concerned about teenage gym culture for a while – with many of her pupils unhealthily fixated on ‘bulking up’. Meanwhile, Paul Shearman of Better Health, who run a junior gym programme, defends the gym’s initiative and explains what the fitness club does to foster a healthy relationship with exercise among youngsters.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eve and Ethan tackle a question that went viral this week – what’s so bad about not washing your hands after going  number 1? The presenters of the popular Mean Girl podcast were lambasted online for admitting they think washing your hands after peeing is pointless. The clip has more than 7 million views on Twitter and hundreds of thousands of comments attacking the pair’s ‘vile’ behaviour. Eve and Ethan quiz someone we’re calling Rebecca about why she’s one of the 25% of Britons who don’t bother washing, while Professor Sally Bloomfield, Chair of the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene, explains why it IS so crucial. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Medical Minefield team are having a chat about the risks of breast cancer associated with taking hormonal contraceptives in light of new research. Is the risk so small that it’s not worth even talking about? Resident Mail on Sunday GP columnist Dr Ellie Cannon offers some much needed clarity for Eve whose recently started taking The Pill herself. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Eve shares the story of her most recent experience with antidepressant Prozac. She’d taken the drug twice before, but this time was hit by intense side effects and a feeling she was losing her mind. She stuck with the treatment, and the problems have passed – but the it left Eve wondering if patients are properly warned about problems the pills can cause. And the team speak with psychiatrist and known critic of antidepressants Professor Joanna Moncrieff about her views on the wide-spread use of the drug and how we need to be more careful when considering long-term use.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They are the gadgets that have transformed diabetes care for hundreds of thousands - monitors that track blood sugars throughout the day, doing away with finger-prick tests. But experts are noticing an unintended consequence of the tech: patients become obsessive about what they eat. Barney and Eve are joined by Sam Webb - son of BBC presenter Justin Webb, who speaks candidly about his struggle with an eating disorder that he says was fuelled by the tech he used to manage his diabetes. We also hear from Dr. Partha Karr, the NHS’s clinical lead for type 1 diabetes, who warns that doctors often place too much pressure on patients to control their condition with diet.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend, The Mail on Sunday will reveal that finasteride – the hair loss drug prescribed to millions of men – is to be investigated by drug watchdogs for safety concerns. According to reports filed by the public, the medicine has been linked to sexual problems, suicidal thoughts and even speech slurring. The Medical Minefield team speak to campaigner and former patient Dr Simon Breidert, who says he has suffered terrible side effects with the drug – which include sexual problems and depression. Now, he dedicates his time to educating others of the risks. But top dermatologist Dr David Fenton says he is confident that the drug is safe when he offers it to men – so long as they are closely monitored.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows there’s been a 10-fold increase in the number of women taking the male sex hormone testosterone over the last seven years. But why? The Medical Minefield team is joined by one fan of the prescription drug: The Mail on Sunday’s Travel Editor Sarah Hartley, who says testosterone has stopped her feeling like she was ‘fading away’. But reporter Jo Macfarlane, who has been investigating the topic this week, explains doctors’ concerns about the increasing popularity of the prescription drug: not least that there’s little proof of the supposed plethora of benefits. So are the private clinics that offer testosterone at risk of misleading patients? Barney challenges Dr Charlotte Norton of private HRT service, BioID Health.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Israel have all, recently, either ditched or watered down their sugar taxes - a levy on sugary foods and drink, to force companies to pack less of the sweet stuff into their products. And, with obesity levels in the UK remaining pretty much unchanged since the UK's tax came into force, is It about time we did the same? The Mail on Sunday's senior reporter Jo Macfarlane tells of the findings of her special investigation about the true impact of the UK's sugar tax: and how there's even evidence it may have done more harm than good.Meanwhile,  Christopher Snowdon, an economist specialising in nutrition and health, tells Eve why he's passionately opposed to the sugar tax, declaring it a total failure. Yet Hattie Burt, policy and communications officer for Action on Sugar, disagrees.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omn

This week, Dr Philippa Kaye – a GP specialising in women’s health – tells of the phenomenon of older women suffering intimate problems, thanks to the rise in dating apps for singletons of all ages. Dr Kaye explains how a new sexual partner can, sometimes, cause surprising complications – all of which are easily treated. But why, she asks, do so many mid-life women choose to simply put up with it, rather than seeking help? The Medical Minefield team also speak with Dr. Shirin Lakhani, who tells of the increasing interest in the unique services offered by her clinic: vaginal rejuvenation treatments.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in 10 British children have watched pornography by the time they are 9 – and nearly half of young people think that young girls expect or enjoy rough sex. That’s two of the shocking findings detailed in a new report on pornography this week, based on interviews with 1,000 youngster across the country. In an extended interview with the author of the report – children’s commissioner, Rachel De Souza, - the Medical Minefield ask where these disturbing ideas have come from. De Souza, a former head teacher, reveals shocking insight into the scale of sexually inappropriate behaviour in Britain’s schools, including young boys attempting to choke girls while kissing them for the first time. Eve and the team’s resident Gen Z representative Ethan Ennals debate whether there is ever such a thing as ethical rough sex.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnys

This week, Barney and Eve address the social media backlash to posts by breast cancer surgeon Liz O’Riordan in which she talks about how alcohol and obesity increased the risk of breast cancer. Liz, who’s had breast cancer twice herself, was accused of victim blaming. Dr Asher Larmy, GP and fat activist, claims being overweight doesn’t, in fact, cause illness – and that messages like these simply further stigmatises women. But Liz says it’s vital we have the ‘difficult’ conversations, so women know their risks...Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, top UK dementia experts published a scathing review into the widespread use of antidepressants in dementia care. Not only did they fail to make patients happier, they put them at risk of potentially lethal falls and injuries. Barney and Eve speak to one patient, Tracey Lane, who has been prescribed the pills twice during her illness – and argues that, for her, they haven’t been totally useless. Meanwhile, one of the UK’s top dementia experts, Professor Sube Banerjee, explains the fascinating science that suggests depression in dementia may not be depression after all…Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we focus on grief. Historian, author and broadcaster Tessa Dunlop talks about the phenomenon of anticipatory grief, as she struggles with the changing relationship she has with her mother, who is creeping into old age and frailty; while Dr Clare Gerada, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and a specialist in mental health, talks about when it might be necessary to medically treat patients with severe grief. And end of life doula Anna Lyons gives her point of view on grieving – and how all the ‘messy’ emotions it throws up are, in fact, perfectly normal and part of the process.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the team talk about the shocking case of a young pregnant woman who died in November, driven to despair by the severe sickness condition hyperemesis gravidarum. The illness, which famously affected Catherine, Princess of Wales, during her first and third pregnancies, hits three per cent of expectant mothers. And Dr Caitlin Dean of Pregnancy Sickness Support reveals that it's 'not uncommon' for women with the nightmarish condition, which some describe as 'feeling like you're dying', to have suicidal thoughts. Yet many are dismissed by doctors who think it's just morning sickness. We also hear from Jessica, a midwife who's suffered it herself, about why health workers and pregnant women themselves are so reluctant to take medication. Follow us on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/lis

This week, Barney and Dr Ellie Cannon ask the question: did the health harms of putting our kids through lockdown and school closures during Covid outweigh any potential benefits? We hear from Professor Stephen Griffin, who supported the lockdowns but believes they should not be a strategy for future pandemics; and to Molly Kingsley, parent and co-founder of the campaign group Us For Them, who rejected the idea of school closures from the beginning of the pandemic and reflects on the abuse she received for speaking on behalf of the children who suffered throughout the pandemic.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tragically, at least 15 children have died so far from Strep A infections in the last couple of weeks. This week, Medical Minefield is asking: Is the Government doing enough to protect our children? We hear from resident GP columnist Dr. Ellie Cannon, who is concerned about local shortages of antibiotics, while Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol, says the outbreak may not be as alarming as it seems...Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health chiefs are planning to offer screening for cervical cancer less often – women will soon have smear tests every three years, instead of every five. But what about women like Destiny Wade, who was diagnosed with the disease three years after a negative smear test? Destiny tells Eve why she thinks the decision will allow more women to fall through the cracks. But Professor Margaret Stanley – one of the UK’s leading experts in cervical cancer – explains why recent changes to cervical cancer screening means the switch will in fact be even safer, ultimately saving more lives.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Startling new research shows that a weekly injection can help obese people shift a fortune of weight – by turning off their unusually ferocious appetite. It’s led experts to be even more convinced of the idea that obesity is not a result of greed or lack of willpower – but a biological fault that causes extreme hunger. Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine tells of how the injection, called semaglutide, changed her life by curbing her overwhelming desire to eat junk. Meanwhile, obesity campaigner Sarah Le Brocq argues that treating larger Britons as patients with a sickness is the only way to tackle lifestyle-related disease. Yet, Dr Asher Larmie, a GP and fat activist, passionately disagrees. Shockingly, Dr Larmie even doubts the evidence linking obesity to diseases like diabetes.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat

Recent reports that found adolescents are being prescribed antidepressants by GPs – against NHS guidance that says they should be offered psychotherapy first. Eve Simmons opens up about her struggle with anxiety as a teen, and how an understanding GP who prescribed Prozac was the answer to her problems. With ever growing waiting lists to see mental health specialists, what other choices are there? The Medical Minefield team speak with Dr Ian Goodyer, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist based at the University of Cambridge, and to Ruth Glover, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Director at Open Door.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been used since the 1970s as a mood stabiliser for people with bipolar disorder – but now, experts say lithium has fallen out of favour, and patients are paying the price. Dr Allan Young tells Medical Minefield of his concerns that not enough psychiatrists are prescribing the medicine, despite the raft of evidence proving its benefits. But Dr Joanna Moncrieff, psychiatrist and academic from the University College London, passionately disagrees – and says the serious risks, including kidney damage and extreme drowsiness, are not worth the benefits, and the drug is best avoided.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vampire facial was all the rage in 2013 when Kim Kardashian posted a picture of her bloodied face after having the injectable treatment. Now, it’s back, but this time for the menopausal vagina – with promises it can ease  discomfort during intimacy, and generally lift and rejuvenate the area. This week, Barney is joined by historian, broadcaster and author Dr Tessa Dunlop as they hear from Sam, a woman whose life has changed since receiving the treatment; Dr. Shirin Lakhani, whose clinic has been providing these treatments; and to Dr. Paula Briggs, for her expert opinion as an expert on the menopause. Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons remain vulnerable to Covid because they have not responded to the vaccines. A drug exists which could protect them. Called Evusheld, the medicine has been rolled out in dozens of countries including the US and France. However, the UK Government refuses to fund it. This week, The Mail on Sunday launches a vital campaign to provide Britain's most vulnerable with Evusheld. The Medical Minefield team speak to Imogen Dempsey, who has been shielding since the beginning of the pandemic and desperately needs Evusheld to return to her normal life. Meanwhile, Lord Andrew Lansley, former Secretary of Health, explains why he has lobbied ministers for months to fund the drug.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was the diet du jour between 2013 and 2016 – but experts have since warned that ‘clean eating’ was far from healthy. A number of young women, including Medical Minefield presenter Eve, have spoken about the role they feel the trend played in the development of their eating disorders. Today, the social media influencers who drove the lifestyle are making great efforts to distance themselves from their past advice. But shall we let them? Or now, with the benefit of hindsight, is it time for an honest admission of the repercussions of the diet information they peddled? The team speak with dietician Ursula Philpott, who saw the fall-out of the clean eating trend in her eating disorder clinic, and one young woman who says the trend triggered her disordered eating.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Medical Minefield team revisit Covid jabs: Are people still having them? Reports are showing a major decrease in Covid booster uptake among those most vulnerable to the virus. Mail on Sunday health reporter Ethan Ennals shares stories of the scores of Mail on Sunday readers who have written to tell us of problems accessing the vital vaccines, while Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine at the University of East Anglia, who speaks of the effects of ‘vaccine fatigue’ – when the momentum of having jab after jab wears off.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Mail on Sunday investigation is bringing to light a little-known issue that could affect the eight million Britons who take antidepressants. Experts have warned of sexual dysfunction related to commonly given SSRI drugs that can last for years after patients stop taking them. The Medical Minefield team meet Lee Thomas, who has been left with permanent erectile dysfunction after stopping SSRIs in 2019. Had he known this was a possibility, he says, he’d never have taken the drugs in the first place. Meanwhile, Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, who is investigating the harms of antidepressants, and Dr Ellie Cannon explain what we know about the science behind the phenomenon.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, one of the UK’s leading cancer experts warned that electronic cigarettes could ‘wake up’ cancer cells – and we could be dealing with the fall out of youngsters’ vaping habits for years to come. Recent data shows that one in 10 11-15 year-olds regularly vape. Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive for Action on Smoking and Health, explains why she thinks these figures are a cause for concern. But MoS’ health reporter Ethan Ennals – who has been investigating the topic - is sceptical about the alarmist claims. In fact, he says, as it stands, there’s little evidence to suggest they do much harm at all.  Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Medical Minefield team explore the topic of politicians as role models in light of the recent comments regarding the new Health Secretary, Thérèse Coffey’s lifestyle habits and weight.  We hear from Sophie Corcoran, broadcaster at GB News, who says that while Coffey is a great politician, she's not setting a good example; from former Health Minister Edwina Currie, who say Coffey has the brains to do the job - and that's all that matters. Meanwhile, Mail on Sunday GP columnist Dr Ellie Cannon says the crucial concern about the new Health Sec has nothing to do with her lifestyle, but her voting record.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women now make up a third of porn watchers – according to popular site PornHub. But experts are warning that’s it’s not all harmless fun – in fact, they’re seeing the fall out in sexual health services across the country. The Medical Minefield team are joined by Kristel, who says her weekly porn habit warped her expectations of sex, damaging her relationships. Next, porn researcher Jennifer Johnson, from Virginia Commonwealth University, explains why she thinks the ‘pornification’ of society should be viewed as a public health crisis.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shocking findings of a new Mail on Sunday investigation shows spiralling numbers of mental health patients are languishing in psychiatric hospitals, detained under the mental health act. But why? The Medical Minefield team hear from the doctors who say fearful care providers, afraid of being held responsible should a patient harm themselves, are partly to blame. Mental health expert Keir Harding is concerned that this culture of so-called ‘defensive medicine’ means we’re heading for a return of the ‘asylum era’ of the 1930s. Meanwhile one patient, Lois, tells the team why being ‘locked up’ in hospital caused far more harm than good.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing ZOE: the latest healthy eating plan that is said to be more effective than all others, thanks to the barrage of scientific tests customers must do beforehand. This tailors this advice to their unique response to sugar, fat and gut-friendly foods, supposedly. Dr Emily Leeming, one of the many top nutrition scientists behind the app, explains to Medical Minefield why ZOE holds the key to successful dieting. But dietician Duane Mellor, head of nutrition at Aston University, has serious reservations, arguing that the focus on health data could lead to obsessive eating patterns – and even mental health problems.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Malcom Gladwell gave his damning opinion on working from home this week – that it is destroying society, and potentially our mental health. Does he have a point? With Gladwell unavailable, the Medical Minefield team ask another high-profile home-working hater – Jacob Rees Mogg MP – why he thinks the new trend is so detrimental. Did his infamous plan to get civil servants back to the office (passive aggressive notes on their desk, noting their absence) lull them back to work? Meanwhile, Dr Clare Gerada, president of the Royal College of GPs, tells of her experience helping frazzled doctors who isolated and stressed-out at the hands of a new home-working routine. Follow Medical Minefield on Twitter @MedMinefieldSupport the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Medical Minefield team speak to Paula Rastrick, who recounts the harrowing experience of being prescribed twice the maximum dose of oestrogen to treat what might have been perimenopause. Far from making her feel better, her life – and health – almost imploded, and she believes it was partly due to the drugs. The team also speak to Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP who specialises in women’s health, about the right, and wrong way to treat women going through hormonal changes.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Medical Minefield team ask if it’s right that airlines rely so heavily on doctor-passengers to pitch in when someone falls ill on a flight? Cabin crew have basic kit and first aid training, leaving the brunt of sky-high medical emergencies in the laps of physicians that happen to be on the flight. We hear from Dr David Strain, senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School, who is one of the 9 in 10 doctors who have been called into action while on board on more than one occasion; and to Alex Macheras, an aviation analyst who has confidence in the medical emergency protocols across all airlines.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard about the importance of women’s HRT – but could men benefit from a boost of hormones too? This week, the Medical Minefield team explore the world of private testosterone clinics - where men go to get a boost of the sex hormone, said to rev up their sex drive, energy levels and even muscle mass. We hear from one testosterone evangelist - Mike Kocsis – who has been on it for 20 years and says it’s transformed his life. So why are top hormone experts dead against it – warning the treatment is putting young men at risk of infertility and heart attacks? NHS consultant endocrinologist Dr. Richard Quinton explains the dangers.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women with breast cancer are told they can’t take HRT – because it risks the cancer coming back. But a small group of high profile doctors now say it could be safe. One of them, acclaimed menopause specialist GP Dr. Louise Newson comes on the show to debate the issue with Liz O’Riordan, a breast cancer surgeon and author who’s had breast cancer herself, twice – and believes it’s vital women know if they do opt for the treatment, there could be some serious consequences.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Eve caused a furore on Twitter when she suggested widespread use of high-strength cannabis in the US was causing an increase in patients suffering violent attacks of vomiting and screaming – which she referred to as ‘scromiting’. Critics were quick to accuse Eve of hysteria – with some claiming she’d made the phenomenon – known medically as Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – up. Now, Dr Timothy Fong, a psychiatrist at UCLA medical centre in California, confirms that so-called scromiting really is a thing – and he’s seeing more and more of it in his patients. Then, the Medical Minefield team speak to one young woman who has suffered the complication herself but, intriguingly, remains a passionate supporter of cannabis use.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Sadiq Khan’s visit to a California cannabis farm, discussions of legalising the herb here in the UK has been brought back into the spot light. But is Mr. Khan’s glowing review of the US marijuana industry all it’s cracked up to be? The Medical Minefield speak with Michelle Leopold, whose campaigning for safer drug policy was sparked after her son, Trevor, died in 2019 from fentanyl poisoning after a long battle with cannabis addiction; and with Dr Roneet Lev, an emergency doctor working on the front lines of legal marijuana fall-out in San Diego.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks, a spate of shocking stories, telling of wheelchair users being left on empty planes for hours on end, have laid bare the shameful treatment of disabled people on planes and trains. Barney and Eve welcome on air disability campaigner and Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, who tells of her own experience of discrimination while travelling, including the time she had to crawl to the toilet on board a plane, because there were no staff to help her. Next, they speak with travel consultant Chris Wood, who thinks he has one solution – a wheelchair that safely slots into the cabin, so disabled passengers can travel safely – and with dignity.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It&rsquo;s a controversial claim made by women&rsquo;s health experts this week: the menopause is being &lsquo;over-medicalised&rsquo; &ndash; with too many women taking drugs to treat symptoms that simply the &lsquo;natural&rsquo; signs of ageing. The Medical Minefield team interrogate the doctor behind the theory, Professor Martha Hickey from the University of Melbourne, who says she is concerned that women who expect to suffer bad symptoms end up noticing problems that wouldn&rsquo;t have bothered them otherwise. But menopause specialist GP Dr Juliet Balfour disagrees &ndash; in fact, far too few women are taking HRT, she says.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Medical Minefield team speak to Alex Preston, who lived for 8 years thinking he had early onset Alzheimers when in fact, his brain was perfectly healthy all along. What went wrong? Eve Simmons and health reporter Jo MacFarlane speak to Alex about his experience, and Professor June Andrews, a specialist in dementia care, explains how this problem may be far more widespread than you think...Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent report revealed that one million GP appointments are missed every month &ndash; costing the NHS billions, and wasting doctors&rsquo; precious time. The Medical Minefield team consider one solution posed by TV doctor Sarah Jarvis &ndash; charging patients a tenner for failing to show up. Dr Ellie Cannon, The Mail on Sunday&rsquo;s GP columnist, explains why she supported a similar idea in the past &ndash; but has since changed her mind. Meanwhile, public health expert Dr Peter English explains why he thinks the measure would be more trouble than it&rsquo;s worth?Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid accusations that reports about the new virus spreading via sex are &lsquo;stigmatising&rsquo;, the Medical Minefield team ask the experts &ndash; What&rsquo;s the truth about monkeypox and sex? And how can the government get the message across without making people feel embarrassed to come forward for help? The team speak to Dr Laura Waters, a sexual health expert working in a London hospital clinic and chair of the British HIV Association, who says official messaging about the virus and sexual transmission has been &lsquo;clumsy&rsquo;, while dr Paul Hunter says it&rsquo;s crucial to be plain and clear about the risks to stop people engaging in risky behaviour and increasing the spread.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent investigations by The Mail on Sunday have found nine hospital trusts are still banning visitors completely, and half of all UK hospitals still have visiting restrictions in place &ndash; due to Covid regulations. The Medical Minefield team hear from one woman who&rsquo;s husband spiralled into a mental health crisis while being treated for heart failure in hospital, after being banned from seeing his loved-ones in April. Meanwhile, Julia Jones, co-founder of visitor&rsquo;s rights charity John&rsquo;s Campaign, says these stories are all too familiar, and explains why she&rsquo;s calling on ministers to resolve the issue.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year and half on from the first Covid-19 vaccines, what do we know about the few who have experienced severe complications or even death from taking it? The Medical Minefield team speak with Sarah Moore, a solicitor representing over 50 families seeking compensation after the jab triggered severe health problems and in some cases, death; and to Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious disease about what we do know about these side-effects, and why he thinks the benefits far outweigh the risks.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who needs care will have to stump up vast sums of cash &ndash; with families often paying &pound;10k a month and having to sell their homes to cover it all. But in some cases, the NHS is supposed to pay. But one in five applicants fail to secure funds, so many turn to expensive private law firms who claim to be able to help fight to payouts. The Minefield team speak to Karen who&rsquo;s currently trying to get money to cover her war veteran father&rsquo;s care bill, and legal expert Ruth Pople, who takes on cases.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vegan diet gurus The Happy Pear claimed last week that eating mushrooms could prevent breast cancer &ndash; but doctors blasted back, saying it simply wasn&rsquo;t true. So can you eat to beat cancer, or it is all simply wishful thinking, or worse a cynical bid to sell diet books? The Medical Minefield team speak to breast surgeon and two-time cancer survivor, Liz O&rsquo;Riordan; a naturopath and Head of Education at the College of Naturopathic Medicine&nbsp;Bobby Qureshi; and journalist Ruth Sunderland, whose husband is a survivor of throat cancer, about the role food has in treating and recovery from illness.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of Britons paying for their own ops has doubled in some areas, as NHS waiting lists get longer and longer. But what does the trend mean for the NHS? The Medical Minefield team speak to Dr David Strain, who has worked in the NHS all his life, about the pitfalls of private care, while insurance broker Brian Walters says a &lsquo;mix and match&rsquo; system is the only way to save the NHS.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As top GPs warn of patients spiralling into post-natal depression - after being told to come off vital mental health medication during pregnancy - The Medical Minefield team ask: do the benefits of the pills outweigh the risks? Dr. John Read, a clinical psychologist from the University of East London, says no &ndash; warning of risks of heart defects in unborn children. But Dr. Philippa Kaye, a GP who specialises in mental health, says the risks that come with a mentally ill mother are far greater, and are often overlooked.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Covid test suppliers turn their hand to &pound;300 blood tests &ndash; which check for every little problem &ndash; The Medical Minefield team asks, are they worth it? Dr Dean Eggitt, a GP working in Doncaster, says such a service might be just what is needed to help clear the NHS backlog. But TV doctor and author Dr Ellie Cannon passionately disagrees &ndash; and says the tests are simply feeding the &lsquo;worried well&rsquo;, and offer misleading results.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global Vitamin D supplement market is worth billions, and doctors prescribe the pills for everything from back ache to depression &ndash; yet superstar scientist Prof Tim Spector, co-creator of the Zoe Covid Study tracker app, says there&rsquo;s little evidence taking it does anything at all for our health. The Medical Minefield team speak to him and Bolton-based Vitamin D advocate GP Dr Jane Wilcock, who often tells her patients they need a dose of the sunshine vitamin.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It&rsquo;s likely that Covid death certificates were riddled with inaccuracies, mistakes and assumptions, a new report has alleged. The Medical Minefield team speak to authors of the paper, Professor Carl James Heneghan, a GP and the director of the University of Oxford's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and Dr Tom Jefferson, an epidemiologist and author for the Cochrane Collaboration, and to Professor Kevin McConway, a statistics expert at the Open University, about how human error during an understandably hectic period for the health care system may have skewed the official number of fatalities recorded during the pandemic.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third of Medical Minefield&rsquo;s investigations into the key scientific conclusions that informed the Government&rsquo;s response to the pandemic, Barney and Eve consider the benefits of lockdowns and to what extent they worked to limit the toll of the virus. They speak with Professor Mark Woolhouse, experts in infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, who is certain that lockdowns did more harm than good, and Stephen Griffin, professor of medicine at Leeds University, who says our death toll would have been far worse if we&rsquo;d &lsquo;done a Sweden&rsquo; &ndash; and not locked down at all.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NHS spent billions on Covid tests, but is there any truth behind the claims that the &lsquo;gold standard&rsquo; PCRs who too sensitive, and ended up diagnosing cases who were never infectious? Were the pandemic infection figures deliberately &lsquo;sexed up&rsquo; to scare people in complying with lockdown rules?&nbsp;And was it really worth spending &pound;37billion plus on testing? The Medical Minefield team investigate with science journalist Jo Macfarlane, public health consultant Dr Allyson Pollock and Dr Al Richards, Associate Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Reading.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health chiefs are planning to impose tough new regulation on Botox-wielding therapists - but should some types of cosmetic surgery be banned outright? Cosmetic clinic whistleblower Ashley Stobart thinks so - who spends her time on social media warning women about the pitfalls of certain procedures. The Medical Minefield team hear her story, and also speak to beauty practitioner Rachelle York - who thinks it&rsquo;s fine she gives nip tucks without having a medical qualification - and LBC&rsquo;s Natasha Devon, who questions why women are made to feel like they have to change the way they look.&nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NHS hospitals are being warned against pushing women into having natural births over caesareans, after a spate of maternity safety scandals found the anti-c-section culture lead to a series of preventable baby deaths. One woman, Beth Nightingale, tells of the trauma she faced after being denied a caesarean by her maternity team, while Professor Marion Knight, a researcher in maternity safety at the University of Oxford, explains why faults within the NHS system has allowed these tragedies to happen. &nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critics have hit out at the BBC after an interview with anti-vax tennis player Novak Djokovic &ndash; accusing it of giving a platform to dangerous misinformation. The Medical Minefield team speak with Imran Ahmed of The Centre for Countering Digital Hate, who says the best way to tackle fake news is to ban those who peddle myths from speaking and posting online, and Marianna Spring, the BBC&rsquo;s Specialist Disinformation and Social Media Reporter, who spends her life covering online myths and trying to sort out the facts.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain&rsquo;s breast screening programme is said to save more than 1,000 lives every year. So why does Dr Michael Baum, the cancer expert who launched the initiative back in 1988, say it is failing women? He explains to The Medical Minefield team why he believes the NHS breast cancer screening programme is doing more harm than good, while Professor Fiona Gilbert, oncologist from Cambridge University argues for a shake-up of the entire system. Perhaps, she says, it&rsquo;s not necessary for some women to undergo the painful scans so often. Meanwhile, the team speaks to a woman who has decided to ditch the scans entirely &ndash; and has no regrets.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox caused Twitter storm last week when he admitted he&rsquo;d come down with Covid, and taken controversial drug ivermectin. He hits back at his critics saying he NOT anti-vax, but thinks younger, healthy adults are far better off taking it than getting jabbed. But Professor Paul Garner at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine disagrees, and says there is not a jot of scientific proof that it works to prevent infection, or illness.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

&hellip;that&rsquo;s the verdict of Mail on Sunday readers, who wrote in swathes to voice their strong opinions on the NHS covid jab mandate. One such reader was David Brown &ndash; who tells the Medical Minefield team how his father died from Covid in January 2021, having contracted the virus while in hospital&nbsp; following a fall. But why are most of Britain&rsquo;s health chiefs calling for the policy to be scrapped? The Medical Minefield team speak with Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, who warns of a mass exodus of staff, and believes an unvaccinated nurse is better than no nurse at all.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As chaos in schools reaches new heights &ndash; with more children off with Covid than ever before in the omicron wave &ndash; The Medical Minefield team speak to the expert who says testing children is doing more harm than good. Dr Allyson Pollock, clinical professor of public health at Newcastle University, explains why letting the virus spread freely in primary schools does not pose the risk it once did. Meanwhile, we speak to the concerned father who details just how traumatic swabbing young children can be- and the lengths he must go to prevent the test from causing his two year-old daughter an injury.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As shocking new data suggests women are a third more likely to die under the knife if their surgeon is a man, The Medical Minefield team asks Dr Stephanie DiGiorgio &ndash; a GP specialising in women&rsquo;s health &ndash; why there are some areas of medicine where women doctors get better results. Meanwhile, 30 year-old Rowena explains why her &lsquo;traumatic&rsquo; experience during an intimate procedure means she&rsquo;ll never trust a male doctor again.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just five days of isolation is enough to stop Covid spreading, according to health chiefs in the US &ndash; so is it time the UK followed suit? Amid a growing number of experts calling for the change, in a bid to reduce the record numbers of staff absences, The Medical Minefield team ask the experts if it&rsquo;s a sensible next step, or simply too risky. Dr Monica Gandhi, public health expert at the University of California San Francisco argues that the UK is lagging behind and should relax isolation rules now, while Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick Medical School, explains why it might be too soon to cut quarantine.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the good news that Omicron is milder than Delta, scientists are still calling for New Year restrictions to protect the NHS from an influx of patients. Speaking to the Medical Minefield team, Professor Christina Pagel from University College London says if we don&rsquo;t do something now, we&rsquo;re almost guaranteed to need a longer lockdown later down the line. But Robert Dingwall, professor of sociology at Nottingham Trent University, points to previous infectious disease outbreaks in the UK which he says prove we CAN live with the virus, and avoid disaster. Restrictions, he says, are not just unnecessary &ndash; they&rsquo;ll do more harm than good.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the threat of the Omicron variant looming, some have suggested that vaccines should be mandatory for all adults - but some very Covid-cautious scientists believe that this is a terrible idea. The Medical Minefield team talk to Deepti Gurdasani, epidemiologist at Queen Mary University London, who believes that mandatory vaccines can deepen distrust and speak to Dr Peter English, who believes mandatory vaccines would spark a backlash - and that vaccine passports are a more important tool.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Omicron variant is an unwelcome reminder that the pandemic is far from over. But just how much worse are things going to get &ndash; and will Plan B be enough to avoid a lockdown? The Medical Minefield team speak to Fiona Fox of Science Media Centre on why Omicron is a setback, rather than a return to square one, and to Professor Penny Ward, professor of pharmaceutical medicine at King's College London, who suggests that we should keep calm - and carry on boosting.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was dubbed &lsquo;Frankenscience&rsquo; that would lead to a world where &lsquo;designer babies&rsquo; were the norm &ndash; and the greatest leap forward in fertility science since the introduction of IVF. The controversial technique, which uses DNA from three people rather than two to allow parents with rare genetic conditions to have healthy children was given the green light in 2017 &ndash; but we&rsquo;ve heard nothing since. We speak to health journalist Jo Macfarlane who has discovered that 27 women have now undergone the procedure &ndash; raising the prospect that three-parent babies might already be among us. Liz Curtis who is Chief Executive of the Lilly Foundation, a mitochondrial disease charity, argues the technique is a lifeline, yet researcher Dr David Clancy warns it might do more harm than good.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystud

Under new NHS guidelines, depressed patients offered CBT, mindfulness, and even advised to exercise more before being offered antidepressant pills &ndash; a change which will affect millions of people. The Medical Minefield team talk to two Mail on Sunday columnists who take antidepressants themselves, Sarah Vine, who says it&rsquo;s vital patients are given options aside from medication, and GP Dr Ellie Cannon, who explains how the plan will work in practice.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It&rsquo;s a topic few celebrities talk about &ndash; how constant dieting, and being enviably thin &ndash; can in fact play havoc on your fertility, and make it difficult to conceive, say experts. Now, in a brave and revealing interview with Medical Minefield&rsquo;s Eve Simmons, who has suffered this problem herself, Izzy Judd - wife of McFly star Harry &ndash; tells of the brutal eating disorder she&rsquo;s battled for three years and how it almost destroyed her fertility.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the &lsquo;no jab no job&rsquo; rule for care homes came into force, with 50,000 carers set to lose employment. The Medical Minefield team speak to one carer who has already made the ultimate sacrifice &ndash; leaving his job to avoid taking the jab. Meanwhile, Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe from Unite The Union explains why the policy is detrimental, and is likely to lead to extreme staff shortages while putting thousands off having the jab altogether, because they feel &lsquo;forced&rsquo;.&nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Medical Minefield team explore the growing culture of so-called &lsquo;defensive medicine&rsquo; &ndash; where doctors act super cautiously, forcing patients to undergo tests that aren&rsquo;t needed to avoid legal complaints, should they miss something. Dr Jenny Vaughn, chair of the Doctor&rsquo;s Association, warns that the culture poses great danger to both patients and doctors, while Margaret Simson tells of how an unnecessary colonoscopy-gone-wrong left her with permanent bowel problem.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a shocking report suggests that as many as one in five of the medical trials we rely on to tell us drugs are safe may be fabricated, altered - and even made up - The Mail on Sunday team speak to the scientists investigating this widespread scandal and ask, what does this mean for patients? Richard Smith, former British Medical Journal editor suggests the answer is to treat every study as if it's made-up, until proven otherwise, while Lisa Bero at health research authority Cochrane tells of the steps already being taken to combat the problem.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctors should warn patients of the side-effects of antidepressants, which can include withdrawal symptoms and even suicidal thoughts, according to new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In a fiery debate, the Medical Minefield talk to Mail on Sunday GP Dr Ellie Cannon, who takes antidepressants herself for long-term anxiety and who believes the drugs help many of her own patients, and Dr John Read, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of East London, who has researched the efficacy and adverse effects of the drugs, especially withdrawal effects, and believes they are over-rated, often harmful, and over-prescribed. &nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The president of an all-female college at Cambridge University, Dorothy Byrne is set to introduce fertility lessons for her students, to make sure they don&rsquo;t leave it too late to start a family. Medical Minefield&rsquo;s Eve Simmons speaks to Byrne, and argues it&rsquo;s not only unnecessary, but also puts unnecessary pressure on young women. We also hear from consultant gynaecologist Jess McMicking, who believe that a balance needs to be struck between informing women and alarming them.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The booster programme may be well underway, but some scientists - including vaccine queen Dame Professor Sarah Gilbert - have deemed the top up jabs unnecessary, given that immunity from the two doses seems to be lasting well. Others say it&rsquo;s unethical when low-income countries have limited supplies. The Medical Minefield team hear from Dr Penny Ward, visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at King's College London, who says boosting healthy adults is the right decision, and Dr David Strain, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, who says we musn&rsquo;t give up on the unvaccinated.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the odd phrase used by one of the country&rsquo;s most prestigious medical journals, The Lancet, last week. But is using this type of language truly inclusive to everyone &ndash; including those who don&rsquo;t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth &ndash; or will it just lead to more confused patients?&nbsp;The Medical Minefield team talk to Dr Alison Berner, a registrar in Gender Identity, who warns of the detrimental impact of gendered terms for some patients, while Professor Joyce Harper says using complex terms risks putting patients at harm.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That&rsquo;s the question Mail on Sunday columnist Sarah Vine has asked for the past month, having battled a Covid-like illness which has robbed her taste and smell.But, according to gold-standard PCR tests, she&rsquo;s negative. And scores of readers have written to &nbsp;The Mail on Sunday telling of exactly the same scenario. So what&rsquo;s going on? The Medical Minefield team ask public health expert Dr Peter English, who reveals even the most robust test may not be as reliable as we think&hellip;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in ten yet to have their jab &ndash; with some of them outright refusing. But what happens if one is them, is your loved-one? It&rsquo;s a situation MoS writer Nilufer Atik found herself in, when her close friend Sarah admitted she &lsquo;didn&rsquo;t agree&rsquo; with the Covid jab, and thought we should all fight off Covid with diet and exercise instead. The Medical Minefield team invite Nilufer and Sarah to talk it out, while &nbsp;psychologist Dr Nilufar Ahmed offers expert advice about how to deal with friends who just won&rsquo;t be convinced.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They&rsquo;re set to be a mainstay of post-Covid life in the UK &ndash; but will forcing people to have the vaccine, by making them mandatory for visiting restaurants and clubs, in fact put them off entirely? The Medical Minefield team speaks to public health expert Professor Jackie Cassell, who says the scheme is unfair and exclusionary &ndash; and may well push those on the fence in the opposite direction - while infectious disease expert Dr Peter English, says they are a necessity if we ever want to get back to normal.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grisly scare stories with deathbed videos of anti-vaxxers dying of Covid-19 have become a part of today&rsquo;s media landscape - and some suggest that they could persuade the vaccine-hesitant to get the jab. But do they do more harm than good? The Medical Minefield team talk to virologist Stephen Griffin on whether there&rsquo;s any truth to the idea that healthy people have nothing to fear from the virus and speak to sociologist Professor Robert Dingwall on why he believes scare stories are akin to medieval fear-mongering and are not a useful way to persuade people to get their jabs.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more and more vaccinated Britons become bedridden with the virus &ndash;including The Mail on Sunday&rsquo;s own Jo MacFarlane &ndash; the Medical Minefield team ask what makes them the unlucky ones? &nbsp;Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia explains the fascinating theory of Covid as &lsquo;two&rsquo; illnesses, one far more deadly than the other, whilst Professor Danny Altmann, an immunologist at Imperial College London, details how the dose of virus we inhale can make all the difference. Meanwhile, MoS&rsquo; Jo Macfarlane learns that if she&rsquo;d gone without her vaccine, her illness could, potentially, have proved fatal.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in four children are now born by Caesarean section &ndash; a figure that some experts have called &lsquo;alarming&rsquo;. But on the contrary, some experts say we might not be doing enough, arguing that a rise in gruesome childbirth related injuries could be a result of doctors refusals to give women caesareans which, in fact, would be less risky than a &lsquo;natural&rsquo; birth. The Medical Minefield team talk to mother Beth, who was denied a Caesarean section and endured a traumatic childbirth, ultimately resulting in life-saving surgery. She says if her wishes had been granted, she&rsquo;d have been spared the ordeal. Meanwhile, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Jess McMicking, argues for the need to adapt our ideas of an ideal birth to the modern cohort of older, working women giving birth today.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudi

Children aged 16 and 17 are being offered coronavirus vaccines in Britain &ndash; but some have decided to opt out. The Medical Minefield team talk to one, Jonathan, a 17-year-old schoolboy who says he and his friends won&rsquo;t have it, and they feels it is being forced on them, and to infectious disease specialist Dr Liz Whittaker on why it&rsquo;s wrong to think it&rsquo;s safer to catch Covid than have a jab. &nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became the first trans woman to compete in Olympics earlier this week, raising questions about whether she had an unfair advantage over her competitors. The Medical Minefield team speak to Joanna Harper, a trans sports science researcher at Loughborough University, who says that whilst trans women may be stronger, it doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean it&rsquo;s unfair for them to compete. But Professor Ross Tucker, a sports scientist and advisor to World Rugby, argues the opposite &ndash; saying studies show women who&rsquo;ve undergone male puberty will always be stronger and faster.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, cabinet minister Michael Gove said jab refuseniks are &lsquo;selfish&rsquo; &ndash;but, in the case of pregnant women, of whom just one in 12 are jabbed, can we really blame them for being cautious? The Medical Minefield team speak to Joeli Brearley from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, who says the fault lies with the misinformation fed to women by those in charge of their care, and tells of midwives warning women against the jab.Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday&rsquo;s health reporter Ethan Ennals asks Professor Asma Khalil from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists why the health body waited so long to urge pregnant women to get vaccinated. The team also hear the direct consequences of these harmful messages from Stacey Knights from Middlesbrough who was hospitalised with Covid-19 11 weeks into her pregnancy &ndash; and still won&rsquo;t have the jab.Support the show: https://medicalminef

Sugary cereals came under fire again last week, as part of the Government&rsquo;s National Food Strategy, penned by former restaurateur Henry Dimbleby. The UK&rsquo;s obesity problem will never be tackled &nbsp;if we don&rsquo;t break our junk food habit &ndash; including sugary breakfasts, says the food tsar. But some, including Medical Minefield&rsquo;s co-presenter Eve Simmons, say food-shaming, hand-slapping tactics never make anyone any healthier. Henry Dimbleby joins the team to try and win Eve over, whilst nutritionist Duane Mellor explains why a bowl of Frosties isn&rsquo;t as unhealthy as you might think&hellip;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freedom Day is looming, but should we carry on wearing masks to keep ourselves (and others) safe? As surveys suggest up to two-thirds of us might continue wearing masks in public places, the Medical Minefield team talk to Dr Gabriel Scally, President of epidemiology and public health at the Royal Society of Medicine and member of the Independent Sage group, who believes masks are an important tool to control the virus and should not be abandoned, and speak to&nbsp;Monika Gandhi, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who believes that (as in the U.S.A.) people who have had vaccines should be able to take off their masks.&nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a tragic death of a newborn is linked to hospital policies designed to encourage breastfeeding, the medical minefield team ask the experts if it&rsquo;s really safe for babies to go two days without food, rather than offering them a bottle? The Medical Minefield team speak to journalist Kat Keogh who says she felt pressured to breastfeed by midwives and speak to GP Dr Heather Ryan who argues that the benefits of breastfeeding may be overstated, and to lactation consultant Lyndsey Hookway who says that new mums can be made to feel guilty for bottle feeding. &nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, top paediatrician Dr Zeshan Qureshi reveals the shocking racist abuse he&rsquo;s received at the hands of patients &ndash; with many refusing his care, purely because of the colour of his skin. Worse still, these incidents are continuing across British hospitals, with senior staff turning a blind eye. The Medical Minefield team question just how dedicated the NHS is to fighting racism &ndash; and whether widespread inequality within the health service is at the heart of the problem.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prescription charges for hormone replacement therapy could be scrapped under a new law proposed by Labour MP Carolyn Harris - who hopes to drive a &lsquo;menopause revolution&rsquo;. The Medical Minefield team talk to Carolyn about why her proposed Menopause (Support and Services) Bill is so important, and speak to Laura Cockram, Chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition, who campaigns for prescription charges for ALL long term conditions to be dropped.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GPs say they are at breaking point, faced with unprecedented demand and mountains of digital paperwork. Many say the simply can&rsquo;t cope, so no wonder patient care is suffering. In a bid to find a solution, we ask leading GPs Dr Ellie Cannon and Dr Mike Smith &ndash; both of whom admit their own families have found it hard get face to face appointments with their doctors &ndash; about what&rsquo;s really causing this crisis, and how they would solve it.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will tech giants really be free to dive into private information we share with our GP? That&rsquo;s the claim of some, who are outraged having learned of the Government&rsquo;s new plans to scrape our health data into one big pool, and give private firms and researchers access to it. But is it really as disturbing as it sounds? &nbsp;Or, will the so-called &lsquo;data grab&rsquo; turbo-charge medical research and save lives? The Medical Minefield team are joined by Prof Martin Marshall from the Royal College of GPs, who assures you that identifying individuals will be nearly impossible, whilst Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens, explains why he&rsquo;s opted-out of having his private files &lsquo;scraped&rsquo; already.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The word &lsquo;trauma&rsquo; has been cropping up in the news a lot lately, even Prince Harry has said he has undergone therapy to deal with the trauma surrounding his mothers death. But, the Medical Minefield team question if we should have to delve into our trauma in order to have good mental health. They talk to Emmy Brunner, psychologist and author of Find Your True Voice, who believes that mental health problems are rooted in trauma and we should talk about it, and speak to journalist Erica Crompton who argues that therapy focusing on her trauma has not allowed her to heal. The team also discuss whether the word &lsquo;trauma&rsquo; is beginning to lose meaning with psychologist Dr Lucy Foulkes as she has concerns about the over-use of the term.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should over-70s face compulsory health tests before being allowed behind the wheel? After a spate of accidents involving elderly drivers, the Medical Minefield team investigate whether stricter rules are needed, talking to Nigel Lloyd Jones, who lost his mother in an accident involving his elderly stepfather behind the wheel, and speaking to Sergeant Rob Heard, a retired policeman and founder of the Older Drivers Forum, who argues that stricter rules are needed to deal with drivers (of any age) whose health makes them pose a risk to other motorists.&nbsp;Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People who have had both their Covid vaccinations are STILL being told to self-isolate after coming in contact with someone with the virus - is it fair? The Medical Minefield team talks to Moira, who was angry at being told to quarantine despite having both jabs, and to Professor Lawrence Young, who believes it&rsquo;s right to be careful as vaccinated people may still spread the virus. Californian Professor Monika Gandhi takes an opposing view - saying that unless restrictions are loosened on those who have had two jabs (as they are in America) it will put people off being vaccinated in the first place.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of people have written in to the Medical Minefield team after last week&rsquo;s episode on GPs no longer offering face-to-face appointments in the wake of the pandemic - and NHS England has issued new advice, suggesting GPs should see people in person. But will that solve the problem? The team talks to Dr Clare Gerada, former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, who says that remote appointments have their good points, and to Dr Allison George, an A&amp;E doctor who says that she sees too many patients who simply can&rsquo;t get to see their GP.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patients are furious. Serious illnesses are being missed, and treatments delayed. But GPs say they’re busier – and more stretched – than ever before. The situation is a total mess, despite the fact the worst of the pandemic is behind us. So what’s going on? The Medical Minefield team speak to NHS 111 whistleblower ‘Zoe’, who says she’s often forced to send patients to A&amp;E because their GP have all but shut up shop. Meanwhile, Mail on Sunday writer Jo MacFarlane has spoken to patients who’ve paid hundreds to see private doctors having being unable to contact their GP. But Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, says GPs aren’t to blame for the problem, but officials higher up the chain.  Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Campaigners say so, urging doctors to stop using terms like &lsquo;geriatric mother&rsquo; and &lsquo;hostile uterus&rsquo; in discussions about fertility. But leading experts say women &ndash; and men &ndash; must face up to the reality of the biological clock. But does fertility really fall off a cliff at 40? The Medical Minefield team talk to Fay, who despite being branded an &lsquo;advanced age mother&rsquo; at 41, delivered a healthy, happy baby, and Dr Geeta Nargund, , a consultant Gynae and fertility expert, who worries stories like these mislead women into thinking having babies in later life is &lsquo;easy&rsquo;.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It&rsquo;s the wonder drug that cures acne for millions of sufferers &ndash; but is RoAccutane to blame for a spate of tragic suicides? That&rsquo;s the claim of several British parents who are certain the potent drug caused their childrens&rsquo; sudden descent into mental illness, ultimately leading to their death. Despite the heartbreaking stories, experts still aren&rsquo;t convinced about the risk. The Medical Minefield team talk to Jonathan, whose son died by suicide weeks after he stopped taking the drug, and speak to skin expert Dr Emma Wedgworth on whether the benefits of Roaccutane outweigh the risks.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With impossibly toned midriffs and eye-popping &lsquo;bum selfies&rsquo;, todays social media fitness stars are pushing the idea that you have to be sexy to be healthy, the Mail&rsquo;s Eve Simmons argues. She talks about her own struggles with eating disorders &ndash; triggered by social media &ndash; and speaks to psychotherapist and &lsquo;Fat Is a Feminist Issue&rsquo; author Susie Orbach on how idealised and sexualised images of bodies online can cause real harm.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Government unveiled a new &lsquo;traffic light&rsquo; system this week, should Britain just get rid of travel restrictions altogether? The Medical Minefield team talk to Professor Robert Dingwall, who believes restrictions offer little benefit, Dr Gabriel Scally, a member of think tank Independent SAGE, who believes that foreign travel leaves us exposed to new viral variants which could derail our exit from the pandemic, and aviation industry expert Alex Macheras on how the restrictions are affecting the travel industry.Support the show: https://medicalminefield.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.