GPcontracts row. . . Warning over inner cities. . . Community care cash worry. . . Action on infant mortality. . . Channel Tunnel investigation. . .

GPs' leader Dr Michael Wilson has appealed for fresh talks with health secretary Kenneth Clarke in a bid to hammer out a new contract, following the three-to-one rejection of the deal offered.

Mr Clarke confirmed his intention to impose the new GP contract from 1 April 1990 immediately after the GPs' ballot result was announced last week. A senior Department of Health official told HSJ Mr Clarke felt he had already made substantial concessions 'in good faith', and there was 'no prospect whatsoever of further negotiations'.

Health authorities in London and inner cities face massive budget cuts if the white paper formula is implemented, according to independent research published by the Labour Party. It shows that 30 HAs will lose over 20 per cent of their budgets, with Bloomsbury losing£100m - 77 per cent.

Concern over financing the government's community care proposals has prompted calls for guarantees that the cash will not be swallowed up in council budgets. As cash will not be ring-fenced, it should be protected by audit, say NHS finance directors.

New measures to combat infant mortality, including locally set targets for survival rates and more post-mortems, have been announced by the government. Health minister David Mellor said that while infant mortality rates in England and Wales were at a new low, there was 'no room for complacency'.

South East Thames regional health authority is to mount its own expert investigation into the Channel Tunnel rail link to gain a 'further picture' of implications for hospitals along the proposed route. It will provide advice on the effects of tunnelling, construction of the line and the impact on 'sensitive NHS equipment' once the railway is in operation.