Health Service Journal
5 November 2007
View all stories from this issue.
-
Adults eating too little oily fish, survey says
Less than one-third of UK adults eat at least one portion of oily fish a week, according to a YouGov poll carried out for fish company John West. -
Breastfeeding boosts IQ, research shows
Breastfeeding can increase children's IQ when combined with the right genes, say researchers at King's College London.The study found that babies with a version of the FADS2 gene had an increased IQ of nearly seven points if they were breastfed. The results of the research are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. -
Chief medical officer calls for action on obesity and smoking
Overall health in Wales is improving, but action is needed to tackle rising obesity levels, continued high rates of smoking and a growing culture of binge drinking, according to the chief medical officer's report. -
Commissioning services for rare disease treatment
The NHS National Commissioning Group has partnered with a biotechnology company to support a specialised system of care for patients with lysosomal storage disorders. -
Dental contract data released
The latest dental contracts statistics have been released by the Department of Health. -
DoH admits bed-blocking stats blunder
The Department of Health has apologised to NHS and social care staff after it emerged figures showing a shock rise in 'bed-blocking' were wrong.The statistics showed an increase in the number of 'bed days' lost through delayed discharge from hospital. But the figure had actually gone down. -
Hospital maintenance staff strike over back pay
Maintenance staff at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals foundation trust began a series of strikes this week because they say they are owed thousands of pounds in back pay. -
'I love the NHS' event draws 7,000 marchers
Around 7,000 people are thought to have attended an 'I love the NHS' march in central London this weekend. -
Infections cost Welsh NHS £50m a year
Healthcare-associated infections cost the NHS in Wales £50m per year and affect 6 per cent of hospital patients, says a report by the auditor general for Wales. This is fewer than in England and Scotland but more than Northern Ireland.But the report adds there are extra steps trusts can take, many of them straightforward, to reduce the risk of infection. -
Legislation on IVF and embryos launched
Legislation to update the regulation of in vitro fertilisation and research on embryos began its journey through Parliament yesterday. -
Men targeted by new chlamydia strategy
A strategy aimed at increasing the number of men screened for chlamydia was launched today. -
Most non-admitted patients treated within 18 weeks
Three-quarters of patients who do not need to be admitted to hospital are treated in 18 weeks or less, Department of Health figures show. -
NHS Choices unveils revamped website
The NHS Choices website has been revamped following consultation with patients and health professionals. -
Pay rise should be 4.3 per cent, say doctors' leaders
The annual pay increase for doctors in 2008 should be 3.6-4.3 per cent, the British Medical Association has said. -
PCTs to take on security costs of ill prisoners
Primary care trusts will take on responsibility for the security costs associated with healthcare escorts and bedwatches for prisoners from April 2008. -
Plans to relax 18-week target
Opposition politicians have accused the government of watering down its promise that no NHS patient will wait more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment or an operation. -
Review of heart transplant mortality rates
The Healthcare Commission is to carry out a preliminary review ofPapworthHospitalfoundation trust's heart transplantation programme after routine audit showed a slight increase in early mortality rates following heart transplantation. -
Sleep cuts obesity risk
According to research from the US, a proper night's sleep could help reduce the risk of obesity in children. -
Smoking ban has widespread approval
Almost 80 per cent of adults believe the smoking ban will improve public health. Those surveyed said hair and clothes not smelling of smoke, a more pleasant atmosphere in pubs, bars and restaurants and cleaner air were the main benefits of the ban.Research carried out for the Department of Health after the first three months of the ban showed that three quarters of adults support the -
Tackle child cancer head on, government urged
Children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent has called on the government to use its cancer plan to tackle cancer in children and young people. -
TB rates high in inner cities, report shows
The Health Protection Agency has today published its annual report on tuberculosis. -
Tragedies involving mentally ill could be avoided, says charity
Mental health charity Rethink has said tragic cases where people with mental illnesses harm others could be avoided if sufferers and their families had a legal right to care and treatment when they ask for it. -
Urgent care best practice published
Guidance on urgent care pathways for older people with complex needs has been published by the Department of Health. -
Wales earmarks an extra £1.2bn for health
The Welsh Assembly's spending plans for the next three years include an extra £1.2bn invested in health services. -
West Herts Hospitals trust appoints chief executive
Senior NHS management adviser and hospital turnaround specialist Jan Filochowski has joined West Hertfordshire Hospitals trust as interim chief executive.
