Ellie Simmonds: British Paralympian swimmer, Gynaecology waiting lists, Meriel Beale, Threads

The Paralympic five time gold medallist Ellie Simmonds was born with achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism. A new drug currently being trialled in the NHS and now approved for use in the USA aims to help children with achondroplasia grow taller. In a new BBC documentary: A World without Dwarfism, Ellie raises the question if cutting edge medicine can stop disability in its tracks, should we use it? More than half a million women across the UK are on gynaecology waiting lists. In an exclusive report from BBC news, this speciality has seen the steepest rise in waiting times in England since the pandemic began – that list is now 60% bigger than it was in 2020. The needs of those waiting range from first outpatient appointments, or for scans, right through to surgery. Soon we will hear from some of the women affected – some are in extreme pain. Catherine Burns, the BBC’s Health Correspondent has been looking at the figures. Over the last couple of weeks we've been hearing about the emotional power of clothes in our series Threads . Today, it's the turn of listener Lucy from Oxfordshire whose very short beaded black dress holds special memories of the day she and her now husband became 'official' . This week the Metropolitan Police announced that actor Noel Clarke will not face a criminal investigation over sexual offence allegations, which he has always denied, because the information given " would not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation." Emma Barnett speaks to Meriel Beale who co-ordinated a letter in the Guardian with 2000 signatures from people calling for reform to the UK film and TV industry after the allegations were made against Clarke. What are women saying to her about power and consent within the UK film and TV industry? Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty Starkey Interviewed Guest: Catherine Burns Interviewed Guest: Ellie Simmonds Interviewed Guest: Meriel Beale