British Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West since 2005
A new weight‑loss pill version of semaglutide has launched in the UK for private prescriptions, offering an alternative to injections. The tablet requires strict dosing and a fasting routine and is not yet NHS‑funded. Several outlets warn about counterfeit pills as access broadens.
England will implement a national newborn screening programme for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) as part of an ongoing evaluation, with rollout starting in October and continuing through 2027 to cover all laboratories in England.
Measles cases have risen in England this year, prompting NHS and UKHSA to widen a catch‑up vaccination effort targeting children who missed jabs. Authorities report rising illness despite long‑standing vaccination programs, with campaigns reaching families via GPs, NHS app, and letters. The initiative aims to prevent outbreaks as authorities stress vaccines’ role in protecting vulnerable groups.