Microbiologists say they are winning the battle against hospital-acquired infections like Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Dr Bob Masterton and colleagues from Western General Hospital in Edinburgh have discovered that levels of resistance to antibiotics have stopped rising for the first time in 10 years.

David Nicholson, acting regional director of Trent, has been made permanent regional director.He was formerly performance director.He stood in for Neil McKay, who moved to become deputy chief executive of the NHS in January.

Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish has appointed Malcolm Chisholm deputy health minister. Mr Chisholm resigned his cabinet post over plans to means-test single parent benefits. Susan Deacon remains health minister.

Police investigating the disappearance of frozen embryos from North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke and a private fertility clinic have arrested an embryologist on suspicion of theft and deception. Health secretary Alan Milburn has ordered an urgent report on the thefts.

Hampshire police said that a man had been bailed pending further inquiries.

Unison members at Dudley Group of Hospitals trust began a sixth round of strike action on Monday. The 600 mainly ancillary workers have launched the 12-day strike as part of a long-running campaign against their transfer out of the NHS in a private finance initiative deal.

One in five calls to City and East London health authority are from people who are unable to register with a GP.

Tower Hamlets community health council reports that the health authority receives 140 calls a day from people who have been told their local GP has closed their list. The HA has set up a 'Find-a-Doc' phone service to try to ease the problem.

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