Health

In England, where there are 1,821 sonographers, vacancy rates have doubled since 2019 – from 12% to 24%, their analysis found. In the south east of England, 38% of posts were vacant, with 30% vacant in the North West. Only 11% were unfilled in the North East and Yorkshire.

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Prof Russell Viner have reviewed the latest evidence, finding that long periods of time spent on screens alone can affect children’s sleep and physical activity, which are key to their development.

On top of this, the government had also offered to cover some out-of-pocket expenses resident doctors face, including exam fees, as well as increase the number of training posts to address what the BMA has described as a jobs shortage at the start of year three of their training.