Medicine and Science from The BMJ

Ranking history

About the show

Latest episodes

• Simon Wessley on the ADHD, and autism review

  October 9, 2026 · 1 hr 0 min

  Referrals for ADHD and autism assessments have reached unprecedented levels, leaving NHS waiting lists stretched into years and families struggling to access support. But is the rise driven by a genuine increase in neurodevelopmental…

• A clinical protocol for physician assistants in the NHS

  October 2, 2026 · 51 min

  Last year, in July 2025, the independent review of the physician associate and anaesthesia associate roles, carried out by professor Gillian Leng, was published. The review followed the contentious role out of PAs in the NHS - where their…

• Why patients choose an assisted death, and vaccine monitoring gaps

  September 25, 2026 · 38 min

  The VAERS system in the US monitors adverse events following vaccines, but a new investigation on BMJ.com has found problems with the data mining systems used to spot patterns - and more worryingly, that the agencies involved were alerted…

• Risk, uncertainty, and medical decision-making - Professor Chris Whitty

  September 18, 2026 · 44 min

  Something different for the podcast today: a live event. It’s the inaugural BMJ lecture, in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences and hosted at the historic Royal Academy of Arts. We want to talk about the big issues facing…

• Food industry nutrition advisor conflicts, and regulation of healthcare AI

  September 11, 2026 · 38 min

  Back in 2024, the BMJ revealed how more than half of the members of the UK government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, had declared financial interests with food and drinks companies. A tightening of the rules followed, but…

• Now is a golden opportunity to change primary care

  September 4, 2026 · 31 min

  The next few months might be an inflection point for GPs in England and Wales  Our strong primary care system is often credited in the success of the NHS - But changes to how that system works are currently underway. Legislation is…

• When medical exams go wrong, & CTE in the NFL

  August 28, 2026 · 49 min

  In this week’s podcast we’ll be hearing a lot about exams - the bane of many doctor’s training lives, exams that determine your future are scattered through medicine and can cause a huge amount of anxiety and stress…   John McLachlan…

• AI in healthcare - getting it right, and stopping it going wrong

  August 21, 2026 · 38 min

  This week we’re focusing on how healthcare is using AI systems. The NHS is firmly set on a course of AI integration, with NHS England committing £10 billion of taxpayer funds to the cause over the next three years. The pressure to…