Jack and Antonia Cowmeadow join Dr Hilary for an unthinkably difficult conversation: the loss of their daughter, Lorelei in November 2024, just days before her second birthday. 

What began as an ordinary toddler cold rapidly escalated into flu-related encephalitis — a rare but catastrophic inflammation of the brain.

They share, with extraordinary courage, the moment they realised something was gravely wrong, the desperate rush to hospital, the speed of her decline, and the care teams who fought to save her.

They also explain why they now want every parent to understand the early warning signs, to trust their instincts, and to know when to seek urgent help. Jack and Antonia also discuss organ donation, the impact of grief, Antonia’s later ectopic pregnancy, and — finally — the light returning to their lives with the pregnancy of their second baby girl.

Encephalitis affects around 6,000 people a year in the UK and 1.5 million worldwide, and can be fatal. Their hope is that telling Lorelei’s story will help save lives. Encephalitis International is the only charity worldwide dedicated to supporting people affected by encephalitis, raising awareness, and funding research.

For more information visit : https://www.encephalitis.info/

Jack is now running the London Marathon for WellChild, raising money to help seriously ill children to thrive at home and out of hospital

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jack-cowmeadow-1

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In this special Q&A episode, Dr Hilary answers your health questions.

He explains the reality of Paget’s disease and how it affects the bones, offers clear advice on managing type 2 diabetes, and talks through the sensitive subject of uterine prolapse in older women. There’s also expert insight on the weight loss pill Rybelsus, inoperable brain tumours, and recovery after hip replacement surgery.

Advice to help you make sense of your health. Send your questions to: [email protected]

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In this episode Dr Hilary speaks with Heidi Bristow, founder of Changes for Stammerers, who shares how a simple breathing technique transformed her life and how she now helps others find control, confidence and clarity in their speech.

Heidi opens up about her journey from a childhood shaped by stammering to becoming a voice of hope and practical support for others. She reveals how her technique focuses on relaxation, breathing and self-acceptance – and why stammering is something to understand, not hide.

Ask Dr Hilary: Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.
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Instagram: @changes_for_stammerers
TikTok: @changes.for.stamm
LinkedIn: @changes-for-stammerers
Website: www.changesforstammerers.co.uk

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In this episode Dr Hilary speaks with Rae Denman, one of the UK’s leading specialists in medical tattooing — a treatment used to camouflage scars, birthmarks and skin grafts, and to restore natural colour after surgery.

Rae talks about how medical tattooing helps people feel more comfortable in their own skin; the difference between cosmetic and medical tattooing; how she works with burns units and post-surgery patients; and why sensitivity and honesty are vital in her work.

Also in the episode:
• The woman who covered her birthmark every day for 30 years
• How a tattoo can restore what surgery can’t
• The link between skin, confidence, and identity

Ask Dr Hilary: Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to [email protected] 

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In this episode, Amy Dowden joins Dr Hilary to reveal how Strictly Come Dancing helped save her life. She speaks openly about living with Crohn’s disease since childhood, her breast cancer diagnosis at 32, and the brutal realities of chemotherapy, sepsis, and medically induced menopause.

Amy also talks about how dance has shaped every stage of her life — from starting at eight years old to becoming the first Welsh professional on Strictly. She recalls competing alongside her husband, the thrill of performing live, and how being part of the show gave her a sense of purpose even during treatment. 

Ask Dr Hilary

Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to [email protected] 

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https://linktr.ee/amy_dowden

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When leading architect and urban designer Lucy Musgrave OBE was suddenly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, life changed overnight. In this inspiring conversation, Lucy tells Dr Hilary how she went from near collapse to remission — and how one cartwheel sparked a national campaign to try to raise £200,000. From the moment she heard the word “curable,” to the gruelling six months of treatment and the daily ritual that became her symbol of survival, Lucy’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and joy. She shares how Cartwheel for a Cure is helping fund vital research through Leukaemia UK.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to [email protected] 

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Cartwheel for a Cure: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cartwheel-for-a-cure 

Instagram:

@leukaemiauk

@cartwheelforacure

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What does it take to stay sharp at 85, sell over 300 million books, and keep going after criticism, controversy, and cancer? Lord Jeffrey Archer reflects on his life and work — from running for his country to facing near-bankruptcy, from building global bestsellers to dealing with prostate cancer.

He explains how he keeps his energy, why discipline and resilience matter, why he reworks every book through as many as 17 drafts, and his support for Mary Archer’s drive to build the UK’s first children’s hospital that treats mental and physical health together. They also discuss Olympic security, fairness in sport, assisted dying, and the challenges of living longer.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to [email protected] 

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The UK is seeing a surge in the illegal trade of prescription medicines, often sold online without any medical supervision. In this episode, Dr Hilary talks to Andy Morling, Head of Criminal Enforcement at the MHRA, about how criminals are moving from heroin and cocaine into the trade in prescription medicines.

Andy explains how unlicensed and counterfeit weight-loss injections are entering the country, why they can contain the wrong dose or even insulin, and the risks of buying any medicine outside the regulated supply chain. He also describes how the MHRA works with Border Force, social media companies, and international partners to seize illegal products and raise public awareness.

You can use https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/  to report any concerns — whether with a legitimate medicine or an unlicensed version — and the MHRA will investigate.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to [email protected] 

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Dr Anil Joshi is an ENT and facial plastic surgeon who repairs the damage from drug use, trauma, and cancer — and is helping to shape the future of reconstructive surgery. In this conversation with Dr Hilary, he explains how 3D printing is changing what’s possible, and the ethical challenges of saying no when surgery would do more harm than good.

They discuss the progression of cocaine-related nasal injury, the dangers of unlicensed injectors and bargain medical tourism, and how AI is starting to support surgical planning. Dr Joshi also shares how musicianship informs his surgical judgment, why fitness and mindset matter for eight-hour operations, and what’s next for training and global standards.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to [email protected]

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In her mid-forties, Claer Barrett, associate editor at the Financial Times, turned to weight loss medication, a decision that transformed her health, her habits, and her outlook on life.

In this episode, Claer explains what it feels like when “food noise” finally stops. She tells Dr Hilary how portion control became possible for the first time, and why she invested in medical monitoring, body scans and therapy. She also speaks honestly about the side effects, the discipline required to keep the weight off, and the challenge of doing all this while being open with her readers.

Beyond the personal story, the discussion explores the wider issues raised by these new drugs. From the black-market risks and rising costs to the question of whether the NHS should fund treatment; a frank look at obesity, health and longevity, and the difficult choices many people face when trying to live better for longer.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it's advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to [email protected]
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