Social Care News and Research

RSS

Intensive caregiving may accelerate cognitive decline

Onerous caring responsibilities reduce brain function for people aged 50 and over, whereas light caring duties can actually be beneficial to middle-aged and older people's mental abilities, a new UCL study finds.

12 May 2026

Prisoners in England face dramatically higher rates of avoidable healthcare harms

Prisoners in England are 41 to 67 times more likely to experience avoidable harms as a result of poor healthcare than the general public, suggest the findings of a case note review of medical records, published online in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety.

8 May 2026

First European trial tests CAR T therapy in amyloidosis patients

Three patients with light chain amyloidosis have been treated with CAR T cell therapy in the first European clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of this immunotherapy in this patient group, led by UCL and UCLH researchers.

6 May 2026

Young people prefer alcohol over non- and low-alcohol alternatives

Young people aged 16-25 in Great Britain are three times more likely to start drinking alcohol than non- and low-alcohol alternatives (62 per cent vs 17 per cent), while less than one in five (18 per cent) have never tried either, according to new research from the University of Sheffield.

24 Apr 2026

Paxlovid speeds recovery but does not reduce severe COVID outcomes in vaccinated adults

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) does not reduce hospital admissions or deaths in vaccinated adults at higher risk of severe COVID-19, despite helping them recover faster, according to results from two national trials published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

22 Apr 2026

Calorie labels on menus may benefit people with binge eating disorders

Food calorie labels on menus in cafes and restaurants can be helpful for people with binge eating disorders, even aiding their recovery, finds new research from UCL and King's College London.

15 Apr 2026

PRRDetect algorithm could one day revolutionize the treatment of cancer

Researchers have created a "metal detector" algorithm called PRRDetect to hunt down vulnerable tumors, in a development that could one day revolutionize the treatment of cancer.

11 Apr 2026

Hospital delirium associated with increased likelihood of future dementia

Older adults who develop delirium during a hospital admission face a substantially higher risk of dementia in later years, even if they had no prior health conditions, according to a major new population study.

27 Mar 2026

Community parenting programs improve family wellbeing and reduce inequalities

Evidence-based parenting programs delivered through community organisations can support family wellbeing and should be considered as part of wider strategies to reduce health inequalities, a landmark UCL study has found.

25 Mar 2026

Inefficient referral pathways delay lifesaving care for millions of injured people

Many seriously injured patients in Global South countries are failing to reach medical care within the lifesaving 'golden hour' and ambulances are often associated with these delays.

23 Mar 2026

Major UK clinical trial finds surfactant therapy ineffective for severe bronchiolitis

A major UK-led clinical trial has found that a treatment commonly used to help premature babies breathe offers no benefit for infants on life support with severe bronchiolitis - a seasonal viral illness that hospitalizes thousands of babies each year.

23 Mar 2026

Liquid biopsy enables rapid diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma in Africa

In a study published today in Nature Medicine, researchers from the University of Oxford and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es salaam, Tanzania have shown that a minimally invasive "liquid biopsy" test can diagnose Burkitt lymphoma rapidly and accurately in sub-Saharan Africa, where delays in traditional testing often prove fatal.

19 Mar 2026

Study highlights crucial role of fathers in pregnancy and child outcomes

New research from the University of Southampton and international partners shines a spotlight on the significant and often under-recognized role that fathers' health and well-being play in shaping pregnancy and child outcomes.

16 Mar 2026

NHS regions need to double GPs for safe staffing levels

Chronic GP shortages in England's NHS reveal deep regional disparities, with current staffing levels failing to meet rising patient demand and safety standards.

23 Feb 2026

GP shortages in England leave patient safety thresholds widely unmet

Four fifths of England's integrated care boards (ICBs) - responsible for planning health services for their local population - would need to at least double their number of general practitioners to meet staffing standards considered safe for patients, finds an analysis of NHS workforce data published by The BMJ today.

18 Feb 2026

Parental concern outperforms digital tools in identifying child’s severe illness

A parent’s intuition about their child’s condition is a significant medical indicator. A new study from the University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital shows that even comprehensive digital symptom questionnaires may not improve assessment if the parent’s underlying concern is overlooked.

18 Feb 2026

Group intervention reduces burnout among foster carers

A group-based support program for foster carers significantly improves carer wellbeing, reduces burnout and stress, and strengthens relationships with children in care, while also offering good value for money, finds a new study led by a UCL researcher.

10 Feb 2026