Dr Joan Madia

School absence in England remains significantly above pre-pandemic levels, particularly among disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs. Illness, mental health challenges, and poverty contribute to persistent absenteeism, affecting academic achievement and future employment prospects. Tackling the problem requires early intervention, targeted family support, and coordinated education and healthcare policies.

AI medical devices are entering healthcare far faster than the evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness. Limited demographic reporting, uneven validation, cybersecurity gaps, and potential algorithmic bias mean regulatory approval alone is insufficient; health systems need rigorous local evaluation to ensure AI works safely and equitably for the populations they serve.

Burnout in the NHS is not only a workforce wellbeing issue but a major economic and operational challenge. Rising stress contributes to sickness absence, presenteeism, staff turnover, recruitment costs, and risks to patient safety. Sustainable workforce policy therefore requires more than increasing headcount; it must improve working conditions, management support, workload design, and staff retention