Monday, December 08, 2003

National and International News



Crackdown on hygiene as NHS 'superbug' infections rise to among highest in world

Hospitals were ordered to improve hygiene on their wards yesterday after NHS infection rates rose to among the highest in the world. Every NHS trust is to appoint a director of infection control who will have the responsibility for cutting deaths and illness caused by superbugs, infections resistant to antibiotics.

The Independent 06/12/03


Driving out back pain

Could your driving posture aggravate or even cause your back problems? When Tim Hutchful, a Leicester chiropractor, began treating a 40-year-old plumber for chronic back pain, he couldn’t understand why, despite the success of the treatment, the pain always returned just in time for the next appointment.

The Times 08/12/03


Drugs don’t work, says Glaxo chief

A senior executive with Britain’s biggest pharmaceutical company has admitted that most prescription medicines do not work on half the patients who take them.

The Times 08/12/03


Executive targets NHS brain drain

The Scottish Executive is introducing incentives to ease the flow south of Scottish-trained doctors.

The Times 08/12/03


Focus: The fat buster

Scientists have devised a diet tablet to allow us to eat all we want. Can they be serious? Jon Ungoed-Thomas investigates

The Sunday Times 07/12/03


Health drive to be launched as obesity eats NHS funds

The government will this week launch a new drive to improve the nation’s health after an official report showing that rising obesity and unhealthy living could bring a crippling increase in costs to the National Health Service.

The Sunday Times 07/12/03



Irregular heartbeats a memory for Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson has joined the 320,000 people who visit their doctors each year because of justifiable concerns over their heart. More than two million people in the UK at any one time have some form of heart disease. Although the death rate from heart disease is falling significantly, it remains the country’s biggest killer. As a result of coronary arterial disease someone suffers a heart attack every two minutes.

The Times 08/12/03


Lost for words

Asylum seekers in Britain are being let down by a lack of understanding which leaves them struggling to communicate their harrowing problems. Dr Simon Atkins reports .

The Observer 07/12/03




NHS computer merger blocked

A judge has prevented the £337m merger of two British computer software companies to prevent them dominating the planned national electronic patient record system for the NHS.

The Guardian 08/12/03


NHS in crisis? Patients in France also wait on trolleys

France's public hospital system, often cited as a model for Britain, is on the brink of paralysis, according to medical staff, who blame a lack of funding and personnel.

The Observer 07/12/03


NHS may ditch Microsoft on costs

The National Health Service, Britain's biggest employer, is considering ditching Microsoft software after a row over mounting licensing costs.

The Observer 07/12/03


NHS shortfall to swallow 1p of income tax

The Government is to pour £3.4bn into the pension scheme for NHS employees to try to deal with a shortfall that has soared to nearly £110bn.

The Independent 07/12/03


Saint Mum, Saint Doctor and the evil MMR

Television companies are usually congratulated for making plays that might lead to viewers fearing the needle: there's a long tradition of anti-drug dramas set in Glaswegian crack-houses. The channel now known as Five, however, has been strongly criticised for a play that seems to advocate abstinence from the syringe.

The Guardian 08/12/03


Strategy to shame superbug hospitals

The government yesterday named and shamed hospital trusts where patients were most at risk of catching one of the most feared superbugs as part of a more aggressive campaign to reduce hospital-acquired infections in England.

The Guardian 06/12/03

The inside track

It may appear that policeman are getting younger, but nurses are definitely getting older. A quarter of NHS nurses are over 50 while only 10% are under 30. In fact, around 20% of NHS nurses are eligible for early retirement, if they wanted it.

The Guardian 08/12/03


Cheshire and Mersey News


Hospitals face 'very serious' situation

The boss of the Countess of Chester Hospital says his NHS Trust will need £4m and an extra 50 doctors to comply with a new European working directive - or waiting times and waiting list targets will suffer.

Chester Chronicle 05/12/03


Cumbria and Lancashire News


Rap for hospital and care home after gran's death

Twelve mistakes made by health professionals caring for an elderly grandmother caused her death, a coroner told an inquest.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 05/12/03

Our hospital road campaign will go on

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust seem to be saying (Bury Times, December 28) that the issue of a new access road to Fairfield Hospital is not an important one by refusing to help fund a feasibility survey. The implication of their refusal is that rumours about future use of the hospital may indeed to be true

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 05/12/03


Greater Manchester News


Service held for murdered nurse

A service has been held in memory of murdered nurse Debbie Remorozo who died exactly one year ago.

Manchester Evening News 07/12/03

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