More than 100 MPs have signed an early-day motion against age discrimination in the NHS that urges the government to carry out an investigation promised in 1997 by Chris Smith, then shadow health secretary. The motion follows the recent publication of a report by charity Age Concern, which criticised NHS employment practices.

The Department of Health has reported a rise in the number of day-case procedures - from 3 million in 1997-98 to 3.5 million last year. The number of ordinary admissions stayed constant at 8.5 million.

The average length of stay dropped from 8.8 to 8.4 days. 1998-1999 Hospital Episode Statistics . Fax 020-7972 5662.

A pilot of assessment procedures for dangerous severely personality disordered prisoners has been set up at Whitemoor Prison, developing proposals laid out in the consultation paper Managing Dangerous People with Severe Personality Disorder published last year. Other pilots will follow.

Health minister John Denham has announced that the first 83 personal medical services pilots will be allowed to continue running for another two years.

The National Heart Forum has called for Europe-wide action to tackle heart disease through policies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children and cut smoking.

Speaking at a European Heart Network conference, director Imogen Sharp said common agricultural policy food surpluses should be used to provide free fruit for schoolchildren.

Health service managers believe the NHS should sue tobacco companies for the cost of treating smokers, according to a straw poll of visitors to HSJ's website. Voting started last Thursday, and by Tuesday morning the vote was 238 in favour and 135 against.

www.hsj.co.uk