Health union MSF has claimed that a Halifax survey showing a salary of £35,000 a year is needed to buy a house in London proves NHS staff are being priced out of London and the South East. Head of health Roger Kline said wages needed to be raised along with London weighting and that all staff should be given access to low-cost housing.

The Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association has described professional help for women who have suffered domestic violence as 'inadequate' in a new briefing document looking at best practice. The document says two women per week are killed in England and Wales by their current or past partners. It also points out that significant numbers of the NHS's female workforce are likely to be affected.

Domestic Violence: a framework of good practice. CPHVA, 40 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UD. Members free.

Non-members£2.

Ministers have received the BSE inquiry report by the committee chaired by Lord Philips. Subject to parliamentary business, the government hopes to publish the report after the return of the House of Commons on 26 October.

Women of all ages have been promised 'practical and friendly'advice in a new magazine published by the government and Good Housekeeping. The magazine, Voices, includes a section on health. It has been issued following a 'listening'exercise by minister for women Baroness Jay and minister for women and employment Tessa Jowell.

www.womens-unit.gov.uk/voices The merger of Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital trust with acute services from Bassetlaw Hospital and Community Services trust has been approved by ministers. The new trust will be called Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals trust from 1 April next year.