The British Dental Association has condemned South Essex health authority's plan to cut pounds350,000 from its pounds1.3m community dental services budget. The HA argues that 10,000-12,000 children can be transferred to ordinary dentists, but the BDA claims most were referred to the CDS by family dentists or will be unable to find an NHS dentist.

Health secretary Frank Dobson was presented with a 4,500-signature petition against cuts in local health services when he visited Whipps Cross Hospital in east London to open the special care baby unit. Mr Dobson also met union representatives concerned about Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority plans to tackle a pounds14.5m deficit.

Urgent talks between Worthing and Southlands Hospitals trust and West Sussex health authority have ended with the HA agreeing to pay pounds1.7m towards the cost of an unexpected increase in urgent and emergency work. Further talks will be held about a remaining deficit of pounds1m.

A project board has been set up to steer proposals to merge ambulance services in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The board will be headed by Alan Parker, chief executive of Leicestershire Ambulance and Paramedic Service trust, who said its first task would be to draw up a draft consultation document.

NHS Supplies has urged health authorities and trusts to carry out a 'thorough audit' of contractual arrangements covering IT systems, equipment and products that might be affected by the year 2000 problem. Contracting and Year 2000 Conformity 'strongly advises' organisations to contact all their contracted suppliers about the problem.

NHS Supplies Publications,

tel: 0118-980 8631.