Health Service Journal
7 January 2008
View all stories from this issue.
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£398m earmarked for drug treatment
Public health minister Dawn Primarolo has announced £398m funding for drug treatment for 2008-09. She also revealed that the old allocation formula will be replaced with a system of allocations per person treated, ensuring that the investment goes where it is most needed. -
Antivirals recommended as flu levels rise
Doctors in England have been advised that the use of antiviral drugs for the prevention or treatment of flu in vulnerable patients is now recommended. -
BMA celebrates pensions decision
The British Medical Association has welcomed the government's decision not to appeal against the outcome of the judicial review into the calculation of GP pensions. -
Cautious welcome for infection control strategy
The NHS Confederation has welcomed the government’s new infection control strategy, launched today, but has said: “It will be up to staff locally to tailor their investments to meet the needs of their individual organisations.”The Department of Health claims that NHS allocations for 2008-09 contain sufficient increase to allow every hospital to recruit two infection control nurses. -
Disabled people twice as likely to be in poverty
A report on disability poverty in the UK claims that disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people. -
Health Protection Agency names new chief
Justin McCracken is to be the new chief executive of the Health Protection Agency, replacing current incumbent Pat Troop when she retires in April 2008. -
Health staff need clear sexual boundaries, says watchdog
Professional regulators have been told to offer clear guidance and support for health staff to prevent them fromstraying into unacceptable sexual behaviour. -
Homebuyers will pay more for good hospital, survey claims
One in seven Britons claim they would be prepared to pay a £10,000 premium for a property near a good NHS trust, a survey has shown.About 15 per cent of 2,000 people asked by insurer Combined Insurance said they would pay £10,000 extra for a home close to good hospitals, while 27 per cent said they would be prepared to pay up to £6,000 extra. -
How to live 14 years longer
A new study claims that the combination of four health behaviours can add up to 14 years to people's lives. -
Medics warn competition will harm patients
The British Medical Association’s GPs committee has launched a campaign to warn the public that government moves to introduce competition into primary care will “harm patients”. -
Money worries worsen mental health problems, poll shows
Nearly one in five people are less able to manage their mental health because of money worries after Christmas, a survey has found. -
MRSA can be treated at home, study claims
MRSA patients could be treated at home, according to a study carried out for the campaign group National Concern for Healthcare Infections.The study, conducted by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, said home treatment could be suitable for people who are colonised but not actively infected with MRSA. -
National screening plan unveiled
Prime minister Gordon Brown was this morning due to announce a national health screening programme to check for early signs of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. -
New social enterprise role at DH
The Department of Health is looking to appoint an honorary patron to help promote its social enterprise investment fund. -
Poor NHS performance in gay-friendly list
Just two NHS organisations have made it on top Stonewall’s annual equality index showing the UK’s 100 most gay-friendly employers. -
Practice-based commissioning results published
The latest wave three practice-based commissioning results from the GP practice survey have been released. -
Pregnancy grant a 'gimmick' - Tories
The Conservative Party has questioned whether Labour's planned grants for pregnant women will provide any health benefits.The health in pregnancy grant will be available from the 29th week of pregnancy to improve the nutrition of expectant mothers, under plans outlined in the Health and Social Care Bill. -
Psychological therapies toolkit launched
The Department of Health has published a toolkit for improving access to psychological therapies.It aims to help primary care trusts implement National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on depression and anxiety disorders. -
Report calls for long-term care reform
Payment for long-term care for older people should be universal but shared between the state and individual, according to a report by 15 organisations. -
Royal Marsden open to patients again
The Royal Marsden Hospital in south west London has opened to patients for the first time since suffering a major fire last week. -
Scotland consults on election to health boards
The Scottish government today launches its consultation on extending public involvement in the NHS and establishing direct elections to health boards. -
Tooke delivers verdict on medical training
The final report on the inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers has been published today.Led by Sir John Tooke, the report proposes the creation of a new body, NHS Medical Education England, to manage postgraduate medical training. -
Trusts hit 18-week target for two thirds of patients
October 2007 figures show that trusts collected treatment time data for 84 per cent of admitted patients and 96 per cent of non-admitted patients. -
Vitamin D heart disease link
Researchers in the US say that a lack of vitamin D may be linked to an increase in heart disease. -
Wales appoints older people's commissioner
The first commissioner for older people in Wales has been appointed. -
Welsh social services improve
Care and social services in Wales improved during 2006-07 but the quality of some services remains inconsistent, according to a report published today.
