National and International News
4bn hospital projects green light
Health Secretary John Reid has given the go-ahead for 15 new NHS hospital development projects in England, together worth a total of 4 billion.
Evening Standard 27/07/04
The Guardian 27/07/04
BBC Health News 27/07/04
IC Network 27/07/04
86 per cent of nursing chiefs say design of hospital buildings improve the performance and morale of NHS nurses
BE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) has today urged the Government to consider the role and importance of hospital design as a way to improve the performance and morale of staff within the NHS. In a major new research report[1], 86 per cent of Directors of Nurses surveyed believed that the design and functioning of hospital buildings impacts significantly on the performance of nursing staff working within them.
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment 27/07/04
Alarm over West Nile virus cases
Holidaymakers heading for Europe, the US and Canada were last night warned to protect themselves against mosquito bites in a bid to keep the potentially deadly west Nile virus out of Britain.
The Guardian 27/07/04
Automated messaging service provides safety lifeline for lone waterboard workers
Utility uses automated mobile alert service to monitor staff in the field
Computer Weekly 27/07/04
'Balloon' may save unborn threatened by lung condition
Hundreds of unborn babies afflicted with a common but often fatal foetal abnormality may be saved by a pioneering keyhole surgery technique in the womb, according to research published today.
The Independent 27/07/04*
The Guardian 27/07/04*
The Times 27/07/04*
The Times Graphic 27/07/04*
BBC to tackle weighty issue
It has made over our front rooms, transformed our gardens, and told us what not to wear. Now the BBC is embarking on its toughest challenge yet - helping the nation lose weight.
The Guardian 27/07/04*
Benzodiazepine Use and Hip Fractures in the Elderly
Conclusion: The incidence of hip fracture appears to be associated with benzodiazepine use. Contrary to several previous studies, short half-life benzodiazepines are not safer than long half-life benzodiazepines. Hip fracture risk is highest during the first 2 weeks after starting a benzodiazepine and declines thereafter.
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1567-1572
Blair urged to ban public smoking
The World Medical Association has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to show "political courage" and ban smoking in all public places in the UK.
IC Kent 27/07/04
Bosses urged to go green
More businesses are taking note of their environmental responsibilities but bosses who break the law face large personal fines, according to a new report.
ePolitix.com 27/04/07
The Independent 27/07/04*
Britons 'more vulnerable to terrorism than 60 years ago'
The 24-hour convenience culture has hit Britons' ability to cope with emergencies ranging from a simple power cut to a major terrorist strike, a senior policeman warned yesterday.
The Independent 27/07/04*
The Times 27/07/04*
Careful how you go
As the world becomes a smaller place, we must be aware that along with new sights, sounds and experiences come new illnesses. It has been estimated that up to 80% of travellers will experience sickness while away. This may often be minor, such as sunburn or diarrhoea, but UK doctors are seeing increasing amounts of rare tropical conditions. Malaria, dengue fever and even rabies are on the increase - all contracted abroad with symptoms developing at home.
The Guardian 27/07/04
Concern over 'hidden' HIV cases
Action is needed to cut the number of people unaware they are infected with HIV, England's Chief Medical Officer is expected to say.
BBC Health News 27/07/04
Debt warning on NHS finances
NHS Trusts could be driven to bankruptcy by the Government’s key policy to improve health service funding, the public spending watchdog cautioned yesterday.
The Times 27/07/04*
Diagnosis of Intra-amniotic Infection by Proteomic Profiling and Identification of Novel Biomarkers
Intra-amniotic infection (IAI) is commonly associated with preterm birth and adverse neonatal sequelae. Early diagnosis of IAI, however, has been hindered by insensitive or nonspecific tests.
JAMA. 2004;292:462-469
Doctors fear for Scotland's teenage drinkers
Hundreds of children as young as 11 are being admitted into Scotland’s hospitals every year with alcohol poisoning, according to a new report.
The Times 27/07/04*
Doctors ordered to warn of antidepressant dangers
Doctors will be required to warn all patients under 30 of the suicide risk posed by the antidepressant Seroxat following an investigation into the drug by a European medical agency, it emerged today.
The Guardian 27/07/04
Doctor's orders
Don’t drink too much coffee if you are diabetic. Researchers at Duke University in North Carolina found a strong correlation between caffeine intake at mealtimes and increased levels of glucose and insulin among people with type 2 diabetes.
The Times 27/07/04
Euthanasia director quits
A second senior figure in the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES) has stepped down in a dispute over the expulsion of a former chairman, according to reports yesterday. Jean Davies has resigned as a director just days after the resignation as president of the broadcaster Sir Ludovic Kennedy.
The Independent 27/07/04
Fury at fall in mental health trust ratings
Mental health charities describe the performance of mental health trusts as “dismal” and say it is a scandal that almost one in 10 got zero stars. Rebecca Ellinor reports.
Care and Health.com 27/07/04
Government is accused of playing politics with food safety
Tony Blair is being urged by ministers and the meat industry to resolve a row in Government about scrapping a key BSE control over the safety of British beef.
The Times 27/07/04*
MPs criticise support scheme
The government's new funding programme to help 1 million vulnerable housing tenants has been criticised by a committee of MPs today after going £1bn over budget.
The Guardian 27/07/04*
NHS IT benefits 'not being realised'
The government may be wasting billions of pounds on IT projects for the NHS, including those covering online appointments with GPs and electronic patient records, a thinktank warned today.
The Guardian 27/07/04
Silicon.com 27/07/04
Full IPPR Report
Lifetime Nonnarcotic Analgesic Use and Decline in Renal Function in Women
Conclusion: Higher lifetime use of aspirin and NSAIDs is not associated with renal function decline, but high acetaminophen use may increase the risk of loss of renal function. The absolute risk of renal function decline due to even high lifetime analgesic intake seems to be modest.
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1519-1524
Men's Health MOT
You don't need to be a petrol-head to know that whatever car you happen to park in the garage, if you stop looking after it, you end up paying the price. Every engine needs an oil change; the air filter cleaning out and the cylinders checked and greased every once in a while and for most of us guys at least, keeping our cars happy also keeps us happy so we don't mind doing it.
Funny then, that we don't have the same attitude about keeping our own engines in good order (by which I mean heart and lungs rather than gasket and piston). Twice as many women visit the doctor than do men and even if there are twice as many 'women's problems' for them to talk about, that's still no excuse.
Woman-UK 27/07/04
Randomized Trials of Vitamin E in the Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Conclusion: The ORs and CIs provide strong support for a lack of statistically significant or clinically important effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular disease. The use of agents of proven lack of benefit, especially those easily available over the counter, may contribute to underuse of agents of proven benefit and failure to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1552-1556
Raynsford unveils council joint working plan
They will be structured around three key themes: children and young people; safer and stronger communities; and health and older people. Local agreements are the first strand of the 10-year vision for local government currently being compiled by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) in consultation with councils.
The Guardain 27/07/04*
Self-harm becoming 'epidemic'
The number of Britons deliberately harming themselves is reaching "epidemic" levels, according to an NHS watchdog.
The Guardian 27/07/04
The Independent 27/07/04*
The Independent 27/07/04*
Seize the daytime
A controversial new drug has sounded a wake-up call for narcoleptics.
The Times 27/07/04*
Sex infections on rise
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, health protection experts warned today.
The Guardian 27/07/04
The Independent 27/07/04*
Reuters 27/07/04
The Sun 27/07/04
Tiscali News 27/07/04
Yahoo News 27/07/04
Stem cells hope in stroke therapy
Master cells taken from foetuses may help to repair the brain damage suffered by stroke victims, a new study of rats has suggested.
The Times 27/07/04*
Suicidal woman failed by mental services
A suicidal young woman was helped to die by her father after being failed by the mental health team assigned to her case, a scathing report concluded yesterday.
The Times 27/07/04*
Trials and errors
You could end up on a new wonder drug or on a useless placebo. So would you be a guinea pig if your GP suggested it? Sophie Petit-Zeman on clinical trials
The Guardian 27/07/04
Uric Acid Level as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Middle-aged Men
Conclusion: Serum uric acid levels are a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality in healthy middle-aged men, independent of variables commonly associated with gout or the metabolic syndrome. Serum uric acid measurement is an easily available and inexpensive risk marker, but whether its relationship to cardiovascular events is circumstantial or causal remains to be answered.
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1546-1551
We are left footing the PFI bill
Jarvis, one of the country's leading PFI contractors, is on the brink of collapse. With debts of £230m and bank covenants broken, the group's banks have given Jarvis a waiver against the breaches until the end of the week, the effective deadline for the group to produce its results for the year.
The Guardian 27/07/04*
Cheshire and Mersey News
Ambulances win cash reward
Mersey Regional Ambulance Service is to receive up to £500,000 extra funding after hitting response time targets to get ambulances to life-threatening emergencies.
Daily Post 26/07/04
Blame for patients in superbug crisis
Claims that most MRSA superbug infections are caused by patients cluttering wards with their belongings were today criticised by victims.
Liverpool Echo 26/07/04
Hospital says crime fight wins a clean bill of health
Crime at University Hospital Aintree has fallen by 40% in the past year since new safety measures were introduced.
Daily Post 26/07/04*
Hospitals win cash rewards for hitting waiting time targets
Five Merseyside hospital trusts are to receive up to £500,000 extra funding after hitting crucial waiting time targets in their accident and emergency departments.
Daily Post 27/07/04*
Rap for TV show sex by Mersey health boss
Merseyside's public health chief has criticised Channel Four's Big Brother after two of its housemates romped under a table.
Liverpool Echo 27/07/04
Water pollution cases rise by 25pc
Pollution incidents in the water industry rose by 25% last year - but pollution caused by industry generally is down.
Daily Post 27/07/04
Cumbria and Lancashire News
Advice for the protection of public health following the fire on Tuesday, 27 July 2004 at Lancaster Synthesis, White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe.
Members of the public are advised to avoid bodily contact with the water of the River Lune at any point between Skerton Weir in Lancaster and Ashton Hall south (downstream) of Lancaster.
Lancaster.gov.uk 27/07/04
Leaflet aims to beat terrorists
An emergency leaflet is being launched to help Lancashire residents prepare for disasters.
Preston Today 27/07/04
Greater Manchester News
Drug tests for young suspects
Arrested teenagers as young as 14 will be tested for drugs in an experiment in Manchester.
Manchester Evening News 27/07/04
Health chiefs pay tribute to retired hospital boss
The chairman of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust board has said former chief executive John Brunt was "under a lot of stress and pressure".
Bolton Evening News 27/07/04
Hospital wins top rating in league table
Hospital bosses in Leigh are celebrating after they were recognised as being one of the best performing hospitals in the country.
Lancashire Evening Telegraph 27/07/04*
Plan for six new health centres
Multi--million pound health centres are planned for Bolton.
Bolton Evening News 27/07/04
Sex scourge of Big Brother
Brother's steamy scenes are encouraging young people to "play Russian Roulette" with sex, a top health boss said today.
Manchester Evening News 27/07/04
Smoking ban for town centre shoppers
SPINDLES and Town Square shopping centre will be virtually smoke free from September 1.
Oldham Chronicle 27/07/04
Two care home staff suspended
Two members of staff have been suspended after allegations of abuse at a council-run care home in Farnworth.
Bolton Evening News 27/07/04*
