in brief

Bob Fryer, who has been assistant vice-chancellor of Southampton University and director of the university's New College since 1998, has been appointed chief executive of the NHS University.

His appointment follows the publication of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Health and Universities UK.

The number of people living with HIV has risen by 10 per cent since the end of 1998, according to Department of Health figures. An estimated 33,000 adults are infected with HIV, reflecting the success of life-prolonging treatment. The DoH has also announced that it will stop notifying all patients connected to health workers who are HIV positive. Notification will now be based 'on the level of risk of exposure'.

www. doh. gov. uk/hivhepatitis/ report2000. htm

Patients detained under the Mental Health Act are still being denied basic rights, according to the Mental Health Act Commission's biennial report. A commission spokesperson said there was concern about the failure to provide patients with information about their rights and treatment and the 'questionable use of seclusion and control and restraint'.

Mental Health Act Commission ninth biennial report. Stationery Office. 0870-600 5522 The two pilot centres which will test the concept of shared financial services are to be in south Leeds and Bristol. They will go live from July 2002 and provide a range of financial services to 20 trusts and health authorities. A roll-out of centres is due to start in late 2002.

Last week's HSJ put a couple of chief executives in the wrong place. Our news story on page 8 quotes Gail Wannell as the chief executive of Quest Diagnostics. She is chief executive of West Middlesex University Hospital trust. On page 23, we described Neil Goodwin as chief executive of St Mary's trust. He is now chief executive at Manchester HA.