Friday, December 31, 2004

National and International News



Tsunami Survivors Face Serious Disease Risks - Doctors

Survivors of the deadliest tsunami on record face serious water-borne diseases such as cholera, and will urgently need medicine and access to healthcare in the months ahead, doctors and health experts said on Friday.

Reuters 31/12/04


I resolve not to be a shameful smoker

On the stroke of midnight tonight, tens of thousands of my fellow smokers will stub out their cigarettes and resolve never to light up again. I shall not be among them, because I know my weaknesses too well. I can testify from long and bitter experience that there is no more depressing start to a new year than admitting defeat, and breaking a resolution before tea-time on January 1.

The Telegraph 31/12/04


Study finds 90pc double cot deaths are natural

Most sudden deaths of a second infant in families are due to natural causes, according to medical researchers.

The Telegraph 31/12/04

The Guardian 31/12/04
Daily Mail 31/12/04
BBC Health News 31/12/04


Freedom of information may have to wait

Government departments have taken so long to change restrictive old laws that the new Freedom of Information Act could be seriously undermined for years, critics said yesterday.

The Telegraph 31/12/04
The Guardian 31/12/04
The Guardian 31/12/04


WHO Warns of Fresh Bird Flu Outbreaks in Vietnam

Vietnam may face fresh outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus next month as poultry is transported around the country ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations in February, the World Health Organization said.

Reuters 31/12/04


Sex Education Gets Party Treatment in West Africa

A day after the rest of the world marked World Aids Day on December 1, the Love Life Caravan blasted its way into the remote border outpost of Noe between Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Reuters 31/12/04



Disease Next as Tsunami Toll Rises, Experts Say

Diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, and even meningitis and flu may be waiting to cause a second wave of misery across Indian Ocean coastal areas devastated by Sunday's tsunami, experts said on Thursday.

Reuters 30/12/04


Men Still Worry After 'All Clear' Prostate Biopsy

Men who undergo a prostate biopsy because they've had a suspicious screening test result and then are given the good news that the biopsy is negative continue to worry about developing the cancer, study findings show.

Reuters 31/12/04


Men Prefer Subordinate Women to Equals

Men would rather marry their female assistants than equal-ranking women or their supervisors, according to social psychologists.

Reuters 30/12/04


Comfort in the world of random cruelties

Rituals are the routines by which we count our hours and days, but new year is a time to break with old habits

The Guardian 31/12/04


Private lives

My wife is disabled. Should I find her a home and move on with my life?

The Guardian 31/12/04


Journal sent Prozac papers that disappeared during murder case

Confidential company documents which went missing during a court case concerning a man who went on a murdering rampage while on the anti-depressant Prozac have re-emerged, it is reported today.

The Guardian 31/12/04
BBC Health News 31/12/04
Daily Mail 31/12/04


Health service reformer honoured

The author of two landmark reports on the NHS, Derek Wanless, has received a knighthood in the new year's honours list, it was announced today.

The Guardian 31/12/04



Yard's anti-domestic violence initiative

Scotland Yard wants new laws to force doctors, social workers and other professionals to report incidents of domestic violence.

The Guardian 31/12/04


15-year study links fast food to obesity

Fast food is definitively bad for your health, a 15-year study of people's eating habits has confirmed.

The Guardian 31/12/04

Daily Mail 31/12/04
BBC Health News 31/12/04


Newspapers flout ruling on asylum seekers

The Press Complaints Commission is to crack down on the use of the term "illegal asylum seeker" by newspapers after research revealed its continued usage.

The Guardian 31/12/04


Attack on smoking gets papal blessing

The Vatican has signalled that it is considering adding its global influence to the campaign against smoking, in an article likely to send tremors of apprehension through the multi-billion-pound tobacco industry.

The Guardian 31/12/04


TV medic 'thrilled' with MBE

TV medic Dr Mark Porter has said he was "thrilled" after discovering he had been awarded an MBE for services to healthcare.

Daily Mail 31/12/04


3M boost for obesity battle

Training services to help tackle the obesity epidemic across England have been given a £3 million boost by the Government.

Daily Mail 31/12/04
BBC Health News 30/12/04


Tropical medicine expert knighted

A leading figure in the effort to minimise the impact of disease in developing countries has been knighted.

BBC Health News 31/12/04


Evening Shift Ups Risk of Gastrointestinal Ills

People who work from mid-afternoon into the wee hours of the night are liable to develop problems such as heartburn, stomach ulcers and constipation, new research shows.

Reuters 30/12/04


Moderate Therapy OK for Some Bladder Cancers

Once bladder cancer invades surrounding muscles, surgical removal of the bladder -- radical cystectomy -- is usually deemed necessary. However, if the disease has not spread to other areas of the body, this can sometimes be avoided, according to Italian researchers.

Reuters 30/12/04


Celebrex Prescriptions Plunge After Risk Found

New prescriptions for Pfizer Inc.'s arthritis drug Celebrex fell 56 percent last week after the company released data showing the drug may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to Verispan, a market research company.

Reuters 30/12/04


Bee sting therapy for MS sufferer

A mother-of-two who suffers from multiple sclerosis claims 36 bee stings a week help to improve her condition.

Daily Mail 30/12/04


60% would rather pay for treatment

Nearly 60% of people would rather pay 1,000 or more for treatment than wait for an operation on the NHS, it has emerged.

Daily Mail 30/12/04


Insulin May Raise Death Risk from Heart Failure

People with advanced heart failure and who also have diabetes that requires insulin treatment have about a fourfold greater mortality rate than heart failure patients who don't take insulin, researchers report.

Reuters 30/12/04


Smoking During Pregnancy Raises Diabetes Risk

Pregnant women who smoke face a higher risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy -- a condition known as gestational diabetes -- according to a new study.

Reuters 30/12/04


Cipro-Resistant Gonorrhea on the Rise

In Hawaii, the proportion of cases of gonorrhea that are resistant to treatment with the antibiotic Cipro increased nearly sevenfold between 1997 and 2000, new findings show.

Reuters 30/12/04



Cheshire and Mersey News


New act an open door to secrets

IT IS the new law that should uncover a treasure trove of secrets.

Liverpool Echo 30/12/04


Time for answers over Rope Walks

EURO-MP Arlene McCarthy last night challenged EU officials to end their silence over a five-year investigation into a 15m Liverpool Objective 1 project.

Daily Post 30/12/04


Give it up

THE ECHO today launches a campaign to improve the health of Merseyside, by encouraging our readers to give up smoking.

Liverpool Echo 30/12/04


Mumps scare prompts student vaccination

MORE than two-thirds of students at Widnes and Runcorn Sixth Form College have received a mumps vaccination following a suspected outbreak of the disease.

Chester Chronicle 30/12/04


MP calls for hospital unit to be reopened

AN MP has revealed that Halton Hospital will be without its two intensive care beds during the winter.

Chester Chronicle 30/12/04


Deal will help to reduce NHS waiting lists

THE UK's largest provider of private healthcare has been awarded a 12-month contract to help shorten operating waiting lists in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Chester Chronicle 30/12/04


Out-of-hours health centre is launched

WARRINGTON'S out-of-hours healthcare service has been boosted by the launch of a new pharmacy at Garven Place.

Warrington Guardian 31/12/04



New NHS care out of hours

A NEW NHS out-of-hours care scheme will be set up throughout the UK by January 1.

Maghull And Aintree Star 29/12/04


Challenge to ageism in work

EMPLOYERS are set to face legal challenges if they refuse to employ older people who are capable of doing the job, claims a local Euro MP.

Maghull And Aintree Star 29/12/04


Have your say on plans for hospital

ST HELENS Primary Care Trust is holding two public meetings to make sure the community has the opportunity to share its views on the development of Newton Community Hospital.

Newton Guardian 30/12/04



Cumbria and Lancashire News


Concentrate on nursing staff - not buildings

ON (November 26) you published a photograph of the various changes taking place in Burnley General Hospital.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 31/12/04


Park and cried: New mum gives birth in car

A PROUD new dad today said he would never look at the passenger seat of his car in the same way after his fiancee gave birth to their first child there.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 31/12/04



Greater Manchester News



Carers who need care themselves

WE recently marked National Carers Rights Day with more than 400 events taking place throughout the country. Our aim was to raise awareness of the benefits and support available to those who provide unpaid care.

Bury Times 30/12/04


Big cash boost for hospice

STAFF at Bury Hospice are looking forward to a happy new year after receiving a donation from a Manchester-based national healthcare provider.

Bury Times 30/12/04


Health chief's plea to smokers

HEALTH officials are urging parents to make it their New Year's resolution to stop smoking for the sake of their children's health.

Bury Times 30/12/04



Choose to fight for baby unit

FAIRFIELD Baby Lifeline Society (FBLS) wishes the people of Radcliffe a Happy New Year.

Bury Times 30/12/04


1,000 smokers quit the weed

ALMOST 1,000 people gave up smoking over the past year in Bolton.

Bolton Evening News 30/12/04


Ruth appointment prompts 'concern'

LEADING scientists are concerned the new education secretary Ruth Kelly's conservative views on stem-cell research could effect vital science projects, according to reports.

Bolton Evening News 30/12/04


Bug closes wards at Hope Hospital

FIVE elderly care wards have been shut at Hope Hospital, Salford, Greater Manchester, following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Bolton Evening News 30/12/04



Surgery favoured for fat busting

A QUARTER of women want liposuction to help get rid of the weight they pile on over Christmas and New Year, a survey revealed today.

Manchester Evening News 30/12/04


Virus outbreak closes five wards

FIVE wards have been closed at Salford's Hope Hospital following an outbreak of a virus.

Manchester Evening News 30/12/04


Migraine hope

TREATING migraine sufferers with a mixture of Botox injections and surgery significantly reduces the amount of time they have to take off work due to their headaches, researchers said today.

Manchester Evening News 30/12/04


Obesity risk of fast food fanatics

FAST food fanatics who frequently gorge on high-fat, super-sized meals greatly increase their risk of obesity and diabetes compared with those who eat them less often, research showed today.

Manchester Evening News 31/12/04

Thursday, December 30, 2004

National and International News



'Plea for egg and sperm donors'

A nationwide campaign is being launched in a bid to reverse falling numbers of egg and sperm donors.

BBC Health News 30/12/04


Bee stings 'help' mother with MS

A mother-of-two who is battling against multiple sclerosis says she is being helped by 36 bee stings a week.

BBC Health News 30/12/04


Bad Water, Not Corpses, Main Tsunami Disease Threat

Preventing outbreaks of diseases across tsunami-hit Asia is a race against time, but contrary to popular belief, the thousands of rotting corpses do not pose the main threat, health officials said on Thursday.

Reuters 30/12/04
The Guardian 30/12/04
BBC Health News 29/12/04
Reuters 28/12/04


Surgery 'helps combat migraines'

Surgery and botox injections can help treat migraines, a US study says.

BBC Health News 30/12/04
Daily Mail 30/12/04


'Fertility tourism' warning

Desperate couples could be forced to seek fertility treatment abroad as new rules lead to a dramatic drop in human egg and sperm donations in the UK, experts predict.

Daily Mail 30/12/04


Women favour surgery to beat bulge

A quarter of women want liposuction to help get rid of the weight they pile on over Christmas and New Year, a survey has revealed.

Daily Mail 30/12/04


Family sues over drug trial death

The family of a pregnant woman who died while taking experimental Aids drugs to protect her baby against getting the disease is suing the doctors, drug-makers and hospitals involved in the study for 10 million dollars (5.2m sterling).

Daily Mail 30/12/04


Moderate exercise fights syndrome

Older people can significantly reduce their chances of suffering a mixture of deadly risk factors that lead to heart disease and stroke by taking just a moderate amount of exercise, researchers have said.

Daily Mail 30/12/04

BBC Health News 30/12/04


NHS staff praised for inventions

Inventions by NHS staff, including a model of the human body to help health workers train to carry out injections, were hailed in a report.

Daily Mail 29/12/04

The Guardian 29/12/04


GPs get passport to less paperwork

New efforts to stop patients wasting GPs' time with needless paperwork were launched by the Government.

Daily Mail 29/12/04
BBC Health News 29/12/04


Physician, steel thyself for litigation ahead

Not so long ago, a surgeon was asked to extract a woman's wisdom teeth. As she tipped her head back and opened wide, he spotted a prominent mole on her forehead.

The Telegraph 30/12/04


Women 'held back by inflexible firms'

The number of women who reach the top of their chosen careers is tiny because so many British companies refuse to offer flexible working for mothers with young families, research published today will show.

The Telegraph 30/12/04
The Independent 30/12/04
The Guardian 30/12/04


Research 'should be directed by nation's needs'

The age of the academic in his ivory tower is over, according to a government adviser who heads one of Britain's top universities.

The Guardian 29/12/04


At last, Whitehall declares opening time

Government in Britain is supposed to change substantially on Saturday when the Freedom of Information Act finally comes into force. The old culture of "need to know" is to be replaced by the right to know.

The Guardian 30/12/04

The Guardian 30/12/04
The Guardian 30/12/04
The Guardian 30/12/04
The Guardian 29/12/04
The Guardian 29/12/04


Agencies defy nurse poaching code

The government's attempt to stop hospitals and care homes poaching nurses from developing countries is being thwarted by private recruitment agencies, the Royal College of Nursing said last night.

The Guardian 30/12/04


Romanian, 67, pregnant with twins

Romanian doctors say a 67-year-old woman is seven months pregnant with twin girls after fertility treatment.

BBC Health News 29/12/04


Low iron linked to restless legs

Restless leg syndrome may be linked to low levels of iron in the blood, researchers have found.

BBC Health News 30/12/04



Dog genome boosts cancer research

We have shared our lives with dogs for thousands of years, and our relationship is only getting closer.

BBC Health News 29/12/04



West Nile Vaccine Produces Immunity in Mice

Mice injected with a purified structural protein from the West Nile virus (WNV) develop immunity against infection, new research shows.

Reuters 29/12/04


Stress Accelerates Experimental Skin Cancer

Mice exposed to stress and ultraviolet radiation develop skin cancer significantly faster than do animals exposed to radiation only, researchers have found. They suggest this may be relevant to people at high risk of skin cancer.

Reuters 30/12/04


Job May Affect Chances of Surviving After a Stroke

After having a stroke, people with lower incomes and blue-collar jobs seem to be more likely to die in the next year or two than those with higher incomes and white-collar jobs -- regardless of the severity of the stroke -- according to a new study.

Reuters 30/12/04


Vietnam Finds New Case of Human Bird Flu

Parents who believe their young teen is likely to drink excessively may prompt him or her to adopt drinking behaviors that mirror those negative expectations, according to a study from Iowa State University.

Reuters 30/12/04


Breakups Can Be Mapped in the Brain

Women who are distraught after breaking up with a romantic partner show brain changes that are not seen in women less upset by a romantic rift, researchers report.

Reuters 29/12/04


Italy Cafe Owners Vow to Rebel Against Smoking Ban

Italy's cafe and restaurant owners said on Wednesday they would defy a smoking ban that comes into force in the new year requiring them to call the police if their customers continue to smoke.

Reuters 29/12/04



Pregnancy Possible After Fibroid Treatment

One of the newest treatments for fibroids, a procedure called uterine artery embolization (UAE) that cuts off blood to the benign tumors, is usually considered only suitable for women who have finished having babies. However, women can conceive and carry a child to term following UAE, a Canadian team reports.

Reuters 29/12/04


Kids' Sleep Disorders Linked with Problem Behavior

Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with higher rates of behavioral problems in children, researchers report.

Reuters 29/12/04


Symptoms Predict When Spinal Manipulation May Work

For people with lower back pain, a set of five criteria seem to predict whether spinal manipulation is likely to help them, according to a new study.

Reuters 29/12/04


Methotrexate in Early Pregnancy May Not Cause Defects

Methotrexate is a potent drug that induces abortion at high doses, and is used at low doses to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. There has been concern that women taking low-dose methotrexate and don't realize they've become pregnant could have babies with birth defects.

Reuters 29/12/04


Plastic Wrapping Help Preemies Stay Warm

Polyethylene wrapping can help prevent heat loss by very premature infants when they're born, a Canadian group of researchers report.

Reuters 29/12/04


Genital Herpes Vaccine Promising in Animal Studies

A vaccine based on a genetically modified strain of herpes simplex virus 2 -- the type usually responsible for genital infections -- rapidly induces an immune response in mice and guinea pigs, researchers report.

Reuters 29/12/04


New Drug Approved for Childhood Leukemia

Genzyme Corp. announced Wednesday that its drug Clolar has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of children with difficult or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Reuters 29/12/04



Heart pioneer dies aged 88

A Northern Ireland-born heart expert whose pioneering techniques saved countless lives has died at the age of 88.

BBC Health News 29/12/04


Genetic 'overdrive' that made the human brain special is discovered

Humans went into evolutionary overdrive as their brains developed, sending them on a path that set them apart from other animals, scientists believe. Researchers who studied the rate of change in the human brain concluded that Homo sapiens really is special.

The Independent 29/12/04
The Guardian 29/12/04


Met police chief in warning over 24-hour drinking

The move towards a 24-hour drinking culture in Britain needs to be slowed down, retiring Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said yesterday. He warned the shift ignored the culture of binge drinking in Britain and would place further strain on police resources.

The Independent 29/12/04
The Guardian 29/12/04
The Telegraph 29/12/04


Obesity increases pregnancy risk for women on the Pill

Women on the Pill who are overweight are up to 70 per cent more likely to become pregnant than those who are slim, scientists have discovered.

The Independent 29/12/04
BBC Health News 29/12/04


How nature keeps eggs 'in check'

Researchers have found a receptor that they believe keeps eggs in arrested development until they are ready to be fertilised.

BBC Health News 29/12/04


Thousands 'will not get winter fuel cash'

The Government was urged yesterday to act to prevent more than 30,000 elderly people missing out on £6 million of winter fuel payments.

The Telegraph 29/12/04



Drug Improves Symptoms of Diabetic Nerve Damage

People with diabetes are prone to develop nerve damage that causes numbness, tingling or pain -- which may reduce awareness of skin damage and lead to serious infections and ulcers. Now, a new drug may improve this situation, Japanese researchers report.

Reuters 28/12/04


Metapneumovirus an Emerging Cause of Kids' Illness

Human metapneumovirus was first identified as a cause of respiratory infection in 2001. It now appears to be infecting more and more children, Italian researchers report.

Reuters 28/12/04



Diabetes Drugs Might Treat Multiple Myeloma

In the lab, multiple myeloma cells are killed by drugs similar to existing anti-diabetes drugs like Avandia or Actos, according to researchers at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York.

Reuters 28/12/04


Working While Ill Increases Risk of Heart Attack

Men who never take a sick day even though they're not in good health may be setting themselves up for a heart attack, according to a new study.

Reuters 28/12/04


Wealthy School Systems More Likely to Spot Autism

Children with signs of autism are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder in wealthier school districts, results of a new study show.

Reuters 28/12/04


Minister to abolish GM scrutiny body

The environment secretary, Margaret Beckett, is to scrap an advisory committee after it repeatedly placed obstacles in the way of government plans to introduce genetically modified crops.

The Guardian 29/12/04



Seasonal ills bring busiest Christmas yet for NHS helpline

NHS Direct, the health service's telephone advice line, had its busiest day to date on Monday as the country struggled to cope with the extended Christmas break.

The Guardian 29/12/04



Quitting Smoking Quickly Benefits Heart Patients

Smokers with coronary heart disease who suffer a heart attack or severe angina, rapidly benefit from kicking the smoking habit, German investigators report.

Reuters 28/12/04


Pfizer Drug Wins OK for Blood Infections

Drug maker Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said it won regulatory clearance to sell its anti-fungus medicine Vfend to treat serious hospital-acquired bloodstream infections.

Reuters 28/12/04


Gay and Straight Men Alike in Body Image Hang-Ups

Both gay and heterosexual men are equally likely to aspire to an unattainable body type, or to harbor a distorted image of their actual body, new research indicates.

Reuters 28/12/04


'Watchful Waiting' OK for Some Prostate Cancers

New research shows that it's possible to identify men with slowly progressive or latent prostate cancer, reflected by prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels that remain stable or fall over time.

Reuters 28/12/04



Crime and asylum head public concerns

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, faces a struggle to shift public opinion on crime and immigration before the general election, according to polling conducted for the Government.

The Independent 28/12/04


Cheshire and Mersey News


Keep-fit fun at gym in telly switch-on

IT'S the perfect idea for parents of square-eyed children who won't budge from the sofa.

Liverpool Echo 29/12/04


New drink-drive law urged

THE mother of a student killed in a car crash with a doctor who had been drinking has launched a campaign for a change in drink-drive laws.

Daily Post 29/12/04


Act opens doors for 24-hour pubs

PUBS and clubs in South Cheshire will be able to apply for all-day licences from February.

Chester Chronicle 29/12/04


Cut-price booze blamed for increased incidents

POLICE chiefs have called on landlords and shops to cease their practices of cutting the price of booze.

Chester Chronicle 29/12/04


Drive to stop sugar and spice and all things nice

THE Government has announced stringent measures in post-festive season moves to combat the obesity epidemic.

Chester Chronicle 29/12/04


I'm sorry I hit paramedic

A 31-YEAR-OLD man wants to apologise to a paramedic he punched while being treated.

Chester Chronicle 29/12/04



Centre is under doctors orders

A NEW medical centre could be built in Middlewich in a bid to meet the demands of over subscribed doctors' surgeries.

Middlewich Guardian 29/12/04



Baby born in hospital car park

A PARAMEDIC holding a torch provided the only light as a Birkdale woman gave birth in the back of a car parked outside Ormskirk Hospital.

Southport Visiter 24/12/04



Vision chief sees the 'big picture'

REGENERATION body Liverpool Vision set out its claim to lead the region's renaissance today, despite the disappointment of the Fourth Grace failure.

Liverpool Echo 24/12/04


Cumbria and Lancashire News


14 new roles as doctors' hours fall

NEW-style assistant practitioners are set to take on extra responsibilities, as hospital bosses try to reduce the number of hours worked by doctors.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 29/12/04


Greater Manchester News


Waiting times up at hospital

STAFF in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Royal Bolton Hospital narrowly missed their targets on waiting times last month.

Bolton Evening News 29/12/04



Real hangover for binge drinkers will last years

THE New Year is meant to signal the culmination of the old year and the re-birth of a new one.

Bolton Evening News 29/12/04


Top cop warns on 24-hour drinking

MOVES towards a 24-hour drinking culture in Britain must be slowed, the country's top policeman warned today.

Manchester Evening News 28/12/04


Fred leads the world in cancer fight

A CANCER sufferer from Greater Manchester, for whom all conventional treatments have failed, has volunteered to become the world's first guinea pig for a possible new cure.

Manchester Evening News 29/12/04


1,000 smokers quit the weed

A THOUSAND people gave up smoking over the past year in Bolton.

Bolton Evening News 29/12/04


Blast over deadly bug

THE boiler system that caused an outbreak of a potentially deadly disease at a leisure centre has been slated by Britain's leading expert in the bug

Manchester Evening News 29/12/04

Thursday, December 23, 2004

National and International News



Family cancer service is expanded

A new service providing testing, care and support for people with a family history of cancer is to be expanded.

BBC Health News 28/12/04


Dry, Cracked Hands May Be Dermatitis

Hands that are red, cracked, itchy or sore may be more than just a cold-weather problem with dry skin. It could be a sign of dermatitis, or eczema, according to the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Reuters 28/12/04



Morning-after pick-me-ups

SMOOTHIES are always best made when you’re ready to drink them — they can be made virtually while you wear a blindfold. They don’t need any fancy preparation, especially these three which use fruits you can keep in your freezer (they’re cheap and nutritious because they are frozen soon after being picked, so their vitamin and mineral values are usually higher than so-called fresh).

The Times 28/12/04


Staying a lively party person

Keeping up with the disco party crowd can wreak havoc on your body. Here's some top tips for staying with the pace, and feeling better the morning after too

The Times 28/12/04


Spread of TB

Amidst your paean of praise for medical success in this country (leading article, December 13), you say: Only Aids remains a pandemic that appears to defy attempts to halt the fast mutating virus. If only. Cases of tuberculosis, partly fuelled by HIV-Aids, have increased by 40 per cent in the last decade in the UK and have doubled in London. Worldwide numbers are set to rise from eight million cases a year in 2000 to ten million in 2010. All this despite a vaccine and effective treatment.

The Times 28/12/04



Police chiefs attack 24-hour drinking

BRITAIN’S two top police officers say that plans for the 24-hour licensing of pubs and clubs should be abandoned because they will cause more binge drinking, not less, as the legislation is intended to do.

The Times 28/12/04


A Question of Health: Is my obsessional cycling affecting my sexual prowess?

I am a keen (some would say obsessional) cyclist. Recently, I think my sexual performance has been affected by long cycle rides, and I wonder if you have any suggestions about how I can both keep fit and stave off impotence.

The Independent 28/12/04


Women unaware of chance to beat cancer

Women at high risk of breast cancer are missing the chance of preventative treatment because doctors are not telling them about a research trial which could help them avoid the disease, it was claimed yesterday.

The Telegraph 28/12/04


Nanotechnology boost for medical diagnosis

Don't tell Prince Charles, but scientists in the US have turned to nanotechnology in the fight against cancer. While HRH's worries over the science of the very small sparked headlines last year about the world being consumed by "grey goo", doctors at Harvard medical school have been injecting magnetic nanoparticles to track tumours.

The Guardian 28/12/04
Daily Mail 28/12/04


Asbos: two steps to prison for a non-jail offence

The courts are sending people to prison for breaching the terms of antisocial behaviour orders even though their original offences, such as begging or prostitution, do not carry a prison sentence, according to a new survey.

The Guardian 28/12/04


Nick Johnstone: Blue notes

It drives me up the wall when I hear people who have never experienced clinical depression say things such as, "Oh, I'm really depressed today, my washing machine packed up last night", or, "I feel so depressed, the cash machine swallowed my bloody card this morning". The term "depressed" is casually misused all the time. Depression is an illness. Hearing someone use the term flippantly is deeply offensive. Just because it's an illness of the mind associated with "low" moods doesn't give you the excuse to use it as a shorthand when someone asks you how you are. Would you dream of saying, "God I'm so broken leg today, my train was delayed", "I feel really glaucoma this evening, I need an early night", or, "I feel so cervical cancer, my credit card is maxed out". Thought not.

The Guardian 28/12/04


Is this the future?

There's some good news for 2005, says Dr Ann Robinson - we may be closer to winning the fight against cancer. But the bad news is that bird flu could be on the way - and there are only enough supplies to treat one in three of us.

The Guardian 28/12/04



Health alert over flat screen TVs

Workers in factories that make flat screen televisions could suffer long-term health damage, say scientists.

BBC Health News 28/12/04



Technique to detect cancer spread

A technique for determining whether cancer has spread could save many patients from surgery.

BBC Health News 28/12/04


Test to spot early liver disease

A technique for identifying early liver damage could help improve detection of the deadly condition cirrhosis.

BBC Health News 28/12/04


Religious Affiliation May Lower Suicide Risk

Depressed men and women who consider themselves affiliated with a religion are less likely to attempt suicide than their non-religious counterparts, according to new study findings.

Reuters 27/12/04


HPV Prevalent in Sexually Active Teenage Girls

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is linked to an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, is "extremely common" in sexually active adolescent women in the US, a new study shows.

Reuters 27/12/04


Many Poor Women Uninformed About Cancer Screening

According to a survey of low-income, rural women over age 40, nearly 7 out of 10 say their physicians have never prompted them to get a mammogram.

Reuters 27/12/04


UN Warns of Possible Epidemics in Quake-Hit Asia

The United Nations warned on Monday of epidemics within days unless health systems in southern Asia can cope after more than 15,500 people were killed and hundreds of thousands left homeless by a giant tsunami.

Reuters 27/12/04


Twice-Daily Insulin Not Ideal for Diabetic Kids

For preschool children with type 1 diabetes, twice-daily insulin injections do not adequately control blood sugar levels, researchers report. They found these kids had frequent and prolonged episodes of either low or high blood sugar.

Reuters 27/12/04


Depression Often Afflicts Heart Failure Sufferers

About 1 in 5 people suffering from heart failure become clinically depressed, and four factors seem to increase the risk, researchers reports.

Reuters 27/12/04



A feast for expanding waistlines

A fat pile of diet books will be arriving on the shelves this spring - but will any of them really work? Judith Woods finds that the key to losing weight is anything from eating coconut to body-clock watching and the lean cuisine of wartime favourites

The Telegraph 27/12/04


Obesity 'could delete generation'

Britain faces 'losing a generation' of children to obesity-related disease, the Duchess of York has warned.

BBC Health News 27/12/04


Hope for mass-produced lab blood

A method for producing red blood cells in the laboratory could one day help solve the shortage of donated blood.

BBC Health News 26/12/04


Target found to stop gallstones

Scientists believe they have found a target in the body that could stop gallstones from being formed.

BBC Health News 26/12/04



Worm inspires 'comfortable' test

Scientists are developing a new way of carrying out internal examinations on patients - based on a wriggling worm.

BBC Health 26/12/04


NHS needs data on GPs

Your report (Doctors failing 3m patients, December 18) exaggerates the scale and extent of the problem of underperforming doctors. We want to reassure the public by reiterating what Janet Smith stated in her recent report - that the majority of doctors provide good quality care. Surveys consistently show high levels of trust in GPs by their patients. Let us not do down the good work done by the majority of GPs, by the actions of Harold Shipman, a criminal who happened to be a doctor.

The Guardian 27/12/04


Anti-smoking drive targets families

An emotive image of grieving children laying flowers beside their father's grave is one of the central features of a new anti-smoking campaign aimed at families.

The Guardian 27/12/04


On-the-spot fines for parents of yobs

PARENTS of children accused of antisocial behavour will face on-the-spot fines of up to 40 pounds under new police powers launched this week.

The Times 27/12/04
The Telegraph 28/12/04


Distant relatives face cancer risk

Even distant relatives of cancer victims have a higher than average chance of suffering the disease themselves, researchers said.

Daily Mail 27/12/04
The Times 28/12/04
The Guardian 28/12/04


TV campaign to help smokers quit

A reality TV advertising campaign has been launched in an effort to encourage smokers to quit.

Daily Mail 26/12/04
The Independent 26/12/04
Daily Mail 26/12/04
BBC Health News 26/12/04


Actor's battle with skin condition

Heart-throb EastEnders star Michael Higgs has spoken for the first time about how his scaly skin nearly ruined his life.

Daily Mail 26/12/04


Reid praises NHS staff

Health Secretary John Reid has thanked NHS staff for their hard work over the last year.

Daily Mail 26/12/04


Prisons smoking plan 'warped'

The Government was accused of having "warped priorities" after it emerged that ministers are spending 1.5 million to find the best way to stop prisoners smoking.

Daily Mail 26/12/04


'Dirty' firms fight right-to-know

Some of Britain's biggest polluters are trying to block new "freedom of information" rules which will force them to release confidential data about radioactive leaks, air pollution and their role in causing global warming.

The Independent 26/12/04


With you in a flash - the official speed-trap map

The location of every speed camera in Britain will be published by police this week as the Freedom of Information Act takes effect. The internet speed-trap "map" has been condemned as a charter for excessive speed.

The Independent 26/12/04


Revealed: the UK's secret terrorism agency

Ministers are secretly establishing an "Armageddon agency" to respond to devastating terrorist attacks on Britain, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.

The Independent 26/12/04


Scotland slaps higher fees on English medical students

ENGLISH students at medical schools in Scotland are to be charged up to 15,000 for their degrees — more than seven times what Scottish or other EU undergraduates will pay. Welsh and Northern Irish students will also be affected.

The Sunday Times 26/12/04


Baby dies after birth at stars’ maternity unit

Baby dies after birth at stars’ maternity unit Lois Rogers, Medical Editor A NEWBORN baby has died after being treated in the maternity unit of the private Portland hospital in London. It is the third death involving the unit in the past five years.

The Sunday Times 26/12/04



Milburn health vouchers battle

ALAN MILBURN, Labour’s general election supremo, is set for a new year clash with John Prescott, the deputy prime minister, and other leading cabinet colleagues over plans to “privatise” key social services.

The Sunday Times 26/12/04
The Telegraph 26/12/04
The Times 27/12/04
The Guardian 27/12/04


Chaos looms as new law opens up state secrets

From the sinking of the Belgrano to the real reason Britain invaded Iraq, they are the controversies that have fuelled conspiracy theorists - some for a few months, others for decades. In one of the biggest changes in the relationship between the governed and the government, next weekend Whitehall may finally start giving up some of its deepest secrets.

The Observer 26/12/04


MMR parents win legal victory

Up to 100 families who allege that their children were damaged by the MMR vaccine are to receive legal aid to sue the drugs companies behind the controversial inoculation.

The Observer 26/12/04


Mental patient charged with stabbing spree

Man to face court accused of rampage which left one dead and five hurt.

The Observer 26/12/04
The Independent 24/12/04
The Guardian 24/12/04


The acid test

All our Yuletide feasting not only boosts our waistlines,but also raises our uric-acid level. Dr John Briffa reports on the blood's own dietary marker.

The Observer 26/12/04


EU rules threatening to sweep away vitamin pills

Vitamin supplements used by thousands of Britons, from pregnant women to people warding off winter colds, are to be swept from shop shelves from the new year under controversial European Union safety regulations.

The Observer 26/12/04


Deer sanctuary increases concern over TB scourge

A deer sanctuary run by the League Against Cruel Sports is at the centre of allegations that it is a breeding ground for deadly tuberculosis, casting a cloud over the organisation's vision for a sustainable future for the animals after hunting is banned.

The Observer 26/12/04



How Labour conspires in Britain's vice

Alcohol consumption in this country soars by 41 per cent during December, according to the think-tank, the Policy Exchange. To be honest, I am surprised that the rise is so modest. Based upon my daily peregrinations around what is misrepresented in the popular imagination as "London's fashionable West End", I would say that the majority of the country is legless, or laid low by killer hangovers, from the end of November until the second week in January.

The Telegraph 26/12/04



Blacks and Asians? No, they're 'visible minority ethnics' say police

The Metropolitan Police will no longer describe black people as black, as part of a new attempt to counter charges of racism in the force. Both black and Asian people will in future be referred to as "visible minority ethnics".

The Telegraph 26/12/04


Investigation reveals a catalogue of bad management at 'crippled' health trust

A damning report into three NHS hospitals has found that dozens of patients may have died needlessly over a five-year period while doctors squabbled among themselves and managers failed to act.

The Telegraph 26/12/04


Anorexia linked to child dancers

Children who dance are more at risk of having eating disorders like anorexia when they grow up, research has found.

BBC Health News 26/12/04


Christmas care for the homeless

Last year, health visitor Claire McCullough met a young man at the Crisis Christmas shelter who was down on his luck. She helped him out, and ensured he was given the care he needed.

BBC Health News 26/12/04


Arms firms plan to thwart disclosure law

Arms manufacturers and other companies are seeking to frustrate Britain's freedom of information act.

The Guardian 24/12/04


Hear, hear - you're pregnant!

A care assistant who mysteriously went deaf almost nine months ago has regained her hearing after discovering she is pregnant.

Daily Mail 25/12/04


Most 'get as much sleep as ever'

Britain's adult population is getting just as much sleep as it was nearly 40 years ago, according to research.

BBC Health News 25/12/05



Older mums likely to live longer

Women who continue having children late in life may live longer than those who have their kids young, research finds.

BBC Health News 25/12/04



Councils fear rise in binge drinking

Councils in London today warned that there could be an increase in binge drinking and antisocial behaviour if they are not given the resources to enforce new alcohol licensing powers.

The Guardian 24/12/04


In Bethlehem a child is treated...

In a village near Bethlehem, BBC Today presenter Edward Stourton meets a Palestinian Christian doctor whose clinics sometimes offer the only hope for women and children caught in the intifada and finds how funding from Merlin helps fill a medical services vacuum

The Telegraph 24/12/04


MPs call for CAP cash to finance war on Aids

A campaign to transfer billions of pounds from the European Common Agricultural Policy to people in the Third World is being launched today by more than 100 MPs in collaboration with local churches.

The Telegraph 24/12/04


Most Over-40s Engage in Sex, But Problems Common

A global survey of sex behavior after age 40 reveals that most people continue to have sex. However, aging romantics tend to encounter problems in their lovemaking.

Reuters 24/12/04


Pimecrolimus Cream Quickly Eases Eczema in Infants

Pimecrolimus cream provides rapid relief of symptoms and helps promote sleep in young children with eczema, German researchers report.

Reuters 24/12/04


Breast Cancer Diagnosis May Not Affect Job

Contrary to some beliefs, women who return to work after being diagnosed with breast cancer are not typically demoted or otherwise discriminated against in the workplace, new study findings show.

Reuters 24/12/04



Anesthetic Gel Eases Injection Pain for Kids

Applying a topical anesthetic half an hour beforehand reduces pain for children getting a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot, according to a report by Canadian researchers.

Reuters 24/12/04


Scientists 'map' key brain genes

US scientists have mapped a key network of gene "switches" in the brain which could aid neurological research.

BBC Health News 24/12/04


Diabetes Raises Mortality After Coronary Bypass

People with type 2 diabetes have a higher likelihood of dying shortly after undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, even when a number of risk factors are taken into account, new study results indicate.

Reuters 24/12/04


Modern footballs 'not much safer'

Heading a modern-day football is not significantly safer than an old-style leather ball, a study by ballistics experts has found.


BBC Health News 24/12/04


Increased Arthritis Pain May Be Due to Fracture

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have an increase in pain at a single site could be suffering from a stress fracture, especially if they have a history of steroid use, UK researchers report in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Reuters 24/12/04


Mifepristone Effective as 'Morning After' Pill

When taken within five days after unprotected sex, mifepristone works as well for emergency contraception as the approved drug levonorgestrel, UK researchers report.

Reuters 24/12/04


PEG Helps Speed Spine Healing in Dogs

Dogs with severe accidental spinal cord injuries resulting in complete paralysis, appear to recover more quickly and completely when they're given injections of polyethylene glycol (PEG), investigators report. They hope these results lead to better treatment for humans with spinal cord injuries.

Reuters 24/12/04


Night Shift Linked to Late Pregnancy Loss

Pregnant women who regularly work the night shift may have an increased risk of a miscarriage late in pregnancy or a stillbirth, a new study suggests.

Reuters 23/12/04


Alcohol May Boost HIV Risk from Oral Sex

Lab experiments show that cells that line the mouth become more susceptible to infection with HIV when they're exposed to alcohol.

Reuters 23/12/04
BBC Health News 24/12/04


Women Doctors at Heightened Risk for Suicide

Physicians -- especially female physicians -- face a higher suicide risk than the general population, according to a new report.

Reuters 23/12/04


Men Prone to Cancer from Hepatitis C

People infected with the hepatitis C virus risk developing liver cancer, and now Japanese researchers have identified several factors that increase that risk. Being male, advancing age, high liver enzyme levels and low cholesterol levels all increase the likelihood of liver cancer occurring in someone with hepatitis C but no current symptoms, they report.

Reuters 23/12/04


DNA Stool Test Promising for Cancer Detection

A non-invasive test that detects mutated tumor DNA in feces may be a useful method of screening for colorectal cancer, according to new research findings.

Reuters 23/12/04


No, Most Hockey Parents Are Not Super Aggressive

Although media images of the irate "hockey dad" might suggest otherwise, most hockey fathers -- and mothers -- seem to value their children's learning experience over their win records, a new study suggests.

Reuters 23/12/04



Substantial Bone Loss Seen with Depo-Provera Use

The results of a new study confirm that using the contraceptive Depo-Provera is associated with bone loss.

Reuters 23/12/04


U.S. Urges Limiting Use of Pfizer's Celebrex, Bextra

U.S. health regulators recommended on Thursday that doctors limit prescribing painkillers like Pfizer Inc.'s Celebrex and Bextra, in light of recent evidence that they may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Reuters 23/12/04


Early Bronchiolitis Tied to Adult Lung Problems

Infants who come down with a respiratory virus infection that causes inflammation of the lungs -- a condition called bronchiolitis -- are more likely to have respiratory symptoms and asthma in adulthood than are those without such a history, according to Spanish researchers.

Reuters 23/12/04


FDA Urges Limited Use of Pfizer's Celebrex, Bextra

U.S. health officials on Thursday called on doctors to limit prescribing Pfizer Inc. painkillers Celebrex and Bextra in light of recent evidence that they may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Reuters 23/12/04



Rush to shred Whitehall files, Tories say

The number of Whitehall files being shredded has increased markedly ahead of new legislation coming into effect, the Tories reveal.

The Telegraph 23/12/04
The Independent 23/12/04
The Independent 23/12/04
The Independent 23/12/04
The Guardian 23/12/04
BBC Health News 23/12/04
Daily Express 23/12/04
Daily Mail 23/12/04


Painkiller stocks hit by supply problems

The NHS was today warned that stocks of a common painkiller used by thousands of patients may reach a "critical level" within weeks.

The Telegraph 23/12/04
Daily Mail 23/12/04
BBC Health News 23/12/04
The Guardian 24/12/04
The Telegraph 24/12/04
Daily Mail 24/12/04
Daily Mail 24/12/04


50 years of transplants celebrated

Patients who have benefited from donated organs were celebrating 50 years since the world's first successful transplant operation.

Daily Mail 23/12/04


Transplant family's Christmas hope

A family whose four sons were diagnosed with the same potentially life-threatening disease are celebrating Christmas with a sense of hope that they never anticipated at the start of this year.

Daily Mail 23/12/04


Stress warning to festive revellers

Christmas and New Year's Eve can be a killer time for anyone with a potentially fatal susceptibility to stress, researchers have warned.

Daily Mail 23/12/04


'Get tough' plea over staff attacks

Union leaders called for tough new laws to protect health workers and punish their attackers.

Daily Mail 23/12/04
The Guardian 23/12/04


Doctor accused of hospital rape

A doctor has been charged with rape at a London hospital.

Daily Mail 23/12/04


Greying hair provides cancer clue

Scientists have got to the root of the problem of greying hair. A gradual loss of colour-regenerating stem cells appears to be responsible, they said. But knowing why we go grey is not likely to lead to miracle "youth" treatments anytime soon.

Daily Mail 23/12/04
BBC Health News 24/12/04


'Faulty wiring' stress death link

Stress can prove fatal for people with 'faulty wiring' between the brain and the heart, research has suggested.

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Liver patients' billboard appeals

Waiting for an organ to become available can be a long and traumatic experience for patients who need a life-saving transplant.

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Hospital suspends 'no Welsh' plan

An English hospital has suspended plans to stop treating Welsh patients who have waited more than three months.

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Adolor Drug Fails European Trial

Adolor Corp. said on Thursday its experimental treatment for post-operative bowel obstruction did not confer a significant benefit in a late-stage clinical trial in Europe, sending its stock skidding.

Reuters 23/12/04



Stem cell research set for funding boost

Plans for a 100m fund to exploit medical discoveries from stem cell research are being developed by entrepreneurs and the government to launch next year.

The Guardian 23/12/04



New plans to improve special needs education

The children's minister, Margaret Hodge, today announced that the specialist schools programme would be expanded to include special educational needs (SEN) as a new category.

The Guardian 23/12/04


Coming next from Michael Moore: Sicko, the film

He doesn't do undercover. And he is not someone who easily melts into the background. But when an industry thinks it is about to become the latest target of the film maker Michael Moore, precautions have to be taken. According to the Los Angeles Times, at least six of America's largest pharmaceutical firms have issued internal notices to their workforces warning them to be on the lookout for "a scruffy guy in a baseball cap" who asks too many questions.

The Guardian 23/12/04


Doctor jailed for faking children's jabs blood tests

A doctor whose clinics gave thousands of children separate jabs in the wake of the MMR triple vaccine scare was jailed yesterday for faking results of blood tests to conceal the fact some inoculations had been ineffective.

The Guardian 23/12/04
The Telegraph 23/12/04
BBC Health News 22/12/04
Daily Mail 22/12/04


Labour plans flood of bills for third term

Programme includes reform of schools, Lords, welfare and health

The Guardian 23/12/04


Care home head gets 14 years for abuse

The principal of a Catholic-run care home was jailed for 14 years by Judge Simon Lawler QC, who described his crimes as one of the "worst cases of child abuse to ever come before the courts", it can be reported.

The Guardian 23/12/04


The best present at Christmas

Last weekend Amanda Wyer, 31, rushed to the bathroom with stomach pains – and half an hour later she had given birth to a baby boy. She had no idea she was pregnant. Still in shock, she tells her story

The Telegraph 21/12/04


Radio waves from mobiles damage DNA, study finds

Radio waves from mobile phones harm cells and damage DNA, according to a four-year European study.

The Telegraph 22/12/04
Reuters 22/12/04


Drivers given one-legged drugs test

Police will be able to test drivers suspected of getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs with a series of tests including standing on one leg.

The Telegraph 22/12/04
The Telegraph 23/12/04


Tomatoes allergy killed mother

A "dynamic, bubbly" mother of four died after an allergic reaction to tomatoes in a pasta sauce.

The Telegraph 23/12/04
BBC Health News 22/12/04


Psychiatric patient killed ex-lover hours after release from hospital

A psychiatric patient killed his former girlfriend in a frenzied stabbing hours after he was discharged from hospital.

The Telegraph 23/12/04


Asylum reforms 'unacceptable'

Now that David Blunkett has been brought down by his attempt to fast-track an immigration case, it seems a good moment to remember his failed attempt this spring to stop the courts from ruling on asylum and immigration appeals.

The Telegraph 23/12/04


Japan Says Person Had Bird Flu Virus, No Contagion

Japan's Health Ministry said on Wednesday that at least one person had been infected with the bird flu virus after an outbreak among chickens in February but that there was no chance that this person would infect others.

Reuters 22/12/04


Brain Area May Control Urge to Hoard

Researchers may have located the area in the brain that separates the stamp collectors from the pack rats.

Reuters 23/12/04


More Pregnancies, and False Alarms, in Winter

Sales of pregnancy tests typically soar in the first months of the year, as more women than usual tend to become pregnant -- or just think they are, according to Inverness Medical, the makers of the Clearblue Easy pregnancy tests.

Reuters 22/12/04



Aspirin Underused by People with Diabetes

Daily aspirin is usually recommended for people at increased risk for heart disease, and people with diabetes come into that category. While the proportion of diabetic patients who take aspirin has increased in recent years in the US, new research indicates that some are still not doing so.

Reuters 22/12/04


High Blood Sugar, as Well as Low, Slows the Mind

Many people with diabetes find that they become mentally and physically sluggish during periods when their blood sugar level rises in the course of their daily routines, investigators report.

Reuters 22/12/04


FDA Says AstraZeneca Crestor Ad Is Misleading

A newspaper advertisement for AstraZeneca Plc's cholesterol drug Crestor that touts patient safety is misleading and should no longer be published, regulators warned in a letter released on Wednesday.

Reuters 22/12/04


Men with Prostate Cancer Can Stick to Low-Fat Diet

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, men are capable of adhering to a low-fat diet for at least a year if they receive good counseling and support, a new study shows.

Reuters 22/12/04


Novartis Says FDA OKs Treatment for Active Bladder

Drug maker Novartis AG on Wednesday said U.S. regulators approved its drug for the treatment of an overactive bladder.

Reuters 23/12/04


Weight Loss Surgery Has Lasting Benefits

Gastric bypass surgery and similar operations for severe obesity lead to long-term weight loss, and people who have undergone such a procedure have lower risks for heart disease and diabetes than conventionally treated individuals, according to a new Swedish study.

Reuters 23/12/04


Exercise Not Enough to Offset Obesity Health Risks

Regular exercise is not enough to offset the health problems associated with obesity - but that shouldn't stop people who are overweight from working out, according to a study to be published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.

Reuters 23/12/04
Daily Mail 23/12/04
BBC Health News 24/12/04


Research fears over Kelly's views

Scientists have expressed concerns that new education secretary Ruth Kelly's religious views could hamper vital scientific research.

BBC Health News 22/12/04


City fast-tracks 1,000 patients

The first transfer of NHS outpatients to the private sector to purge waiting lists is to take place in Glasgow.

BBC Health News 22/12/04



GPs urged to ask MPs on smoke ban

Welsh doctors are being urged to write to their MPs and ask them to support a ban on smoking in public places by the British Medical Assocation (BMA).

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Toys have lasting impact on brain

Toys that stimulate a young child's mind could permanently boost their brain function, according to research.

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Stem cell lung therapy progress

Stem cells could be used to treat a killer lung disease, say experts.

BBC Health News 23/12/04


Patients cannot 'cling to life'

The idea that terminally ill cancer patients can put off dying in order not to miss significant events such as birthdays, weddings or Christmas is a myth, scientists have said.

Daily Mail 23/12/04



GP cleared of indecent assault

A family GP walked free from court after being cleared of groping a semi-naked woman patient during a sore throat appointment.

Daily Mail 22/12/04



Scientists study genetic health

Scientists have been given more than 4 million to investigate the extent to which conditions like heart disease and depression are hereditary.

Daily Mail 23/12/04
BBC Health News 23/12/04


'Science cuts threaten medicine'

Closing university science departments is threatening the future of medicine in the UK, it was claimed.

Daily Mail 23/12/04
The Guardian 23/12/04
Daily Express 23/12/04
BBC Health News 23/12/04


Cleaning link to breathing problems

Bleach, paint stripper and carpet cleaners used in the home can cause wheezing and asthma in children, new research suggests.

Daily Mail 23/12/04
Daily Express 23/12/04
BBC Health News 23/12/04


Cash boost for alternative medicine

Efforts to improve the regulation of complementary and alternative medicine have been given a 900,000 boost.

Daily Mail 22/12/04
The Guardian 23/12/04
The Telegraph 23/12/04
BBC Health News 22/12/04


Cheshire and Mersey News

Organ scandal parents' new anguish

FAMILIES of dead children stripped of their body parts in the Alder Hey organ scandal have voiced their anger after it was revealed that the shamed pathologist at the centre of the case would escape prosecution.

Wirral Globe 22/12/04


Disabled unfairly treated says probe

WIRRAL council has admitted failing disabled motorists following a special Globe invest-igation.

Wirral Globe 22/12/04


Job help for kids in care

VULNERABLE youngsters are to be given city council apprenticeships to keep them off the dole queue.

Liverpool Echo 22/12/04


Blues stars spread more festive cheer

EVERTON stars played Santa Claus for the day by dishing out presents to youngsters at Alder Hey.

Liverpool Echo 22/12/04



26,000 bill for having heart attack on holiday

A RETIRED computer engineer who underwent emergency heart surgery on holiday fears he could lose his home after his insurance company refused to pay a £26,000 medical bill.

Daily Post 22/12/04


Missing Sarah found thanks to ECHO appeal

A MISSING pregnant woman who needed urgent medical attention has been found thanks to the ECHO.

Liverpool Echo 22/12/04


Father delivers son Jamie on living room floor

JAMIE DUGGAN was in such a rush to be born that his father turned midwife and delivered him on the living room floor.

Liverpool Echo 23/12/04


Social workers call off strike after four months

A STRIKE which has blighted Liverpool's social services for four months has finally ended.

Daily Post 23/12/04


'Dr Frankenstein' is not prosecuted

FAMILIES involved in the Alder Hey organ retention scandal say they have been left distraught by the decision not to prosecute disgraced pathologist, Professor Dick van Velzen.

Weekly News 22/12/04



NHS rap to help ease A&E services

HEALTH chiefs are spreading the message that patients should seek out an alternative to using the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments of hospitals - by coming up with a toetapping rap jingle.

Weekly News 22/12/04


Shredding is simply good housekeeping

SHREDDERS at some of our public authorities may be working overtime - but they insist we shouldn't be concerned.

Chester Chronicle 23/12/04



Documenting 175 years of care at the end of an era

A BOOK documenting 175 years of West Cheshire Hospital has been launched by a staff member.

Chester Chronicle 23/12/04


Woman, 56, dies days after discharge from virus ward

A PATIENT has died after being discharged from an infected winter vomiting virus ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Chester Chronicle 23/12/04


Government delay over health centre

FUNDING for a proposed medical centre has been put back until next year.

Weekly News 22/12/04


Cumbria and Lancashire News


Reminder about morning-after pill

BLACKBURN with Darwen Primary Care Trust has issued a reminder to the public about the availability of emergency contraception during the festive party period.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 22/12/04


'Watch for ice' alert

AMBULANCE bosses are urging people to take extra care after yesterday's cold snap left them dealing with scores of people injured in the icy conditions.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 22/12/04



Nurses deserve Christmas treat

IN response to the letter published December 15, headed 'Pay nurses extra for festive working'.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph 22/12/04


Greater Manchester News

Tonic from Jay Jay

Children who have to spend Christmas in hospital had their spirits raised when they met their Bolton Wanderers heroes on Tuesday.

Bolton Evening News 22/12/04



I am overwhelmed

AFTER going for a routine mammogram at the Popham Centre at Fairfield Hospital, it was found that I had breast cancer and I was transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital where I had major surgery. I can not thank all the staff enough. From walking into the Popham Centre to coming out of the Royal Bolton, the quality of nursing was excellent. I thank God for the NHS.

Bury Times 24/12/04


Medics set for busy weekend

MEDICAL professionals and the emergency services are bracing themselves for an increase in drink-related incidents this Christmas weekend.

Bury Times 24/12/04


Proper treatment saved baby Ruby

I WOULD like to express my thanks to the doctors, midwives and nursing staff for the excellent care given to my daughter when my granddaughter, Ruby Fay Kirk, was born on Nov 29.

Bury Times 24/12/04


New surgery fills dentist demand

A PRESTWICH dentist has filled a gaping need by doubling the number of his NHS clients at a stroke.

Bury Times 24/12/04


Heart op delight for parents of tiny Ruby

DELIGHTED parents Peter and Jane Kirk can now enjoy the happy Christmas they feared would never be after their newborn daughter underwent a life-saving heart operation.

Bury Times 24/12/04



Smokers told: Stub it out to get a job

SMOKERS looking for a job have been dealt a double blow following a survey of 500 employers by a Manchester recruitment agency.

Manchester Evening News 24/12/04



Mum saved by her angel Gabriella

GABRIELLA Hearth saved her mother's life after she became seriously ill.

Manchester Evening News 24/12/04


Hospital staff get healthier

FEWER hospital staff are taking time off sick, according to new figures.

Bolton Evening News 24/12/04


Transplant girl's perfect Christmas

WHAT a difference a year makes! Last Christmas Kirsten Clayton was so weak that her only glimpse of Santa was through the glass of her hospital isolation room.

Manchester Evening News 24/12/04



Doctor denies crash charge

A DOCTOR from Bolton appeared before magistrates at Rochdale to deny charges of careless driving after a crash in hospital grounds.

Bolton Evening News 24/12/04



Alert on cancer painkiller shortage

CANCER patients could be facing the holiday period in pain because of dwindling stocks of a vital drug.

Manchester Evening News 24/12/04


Teams are winners with hospital kids

THE entire first teams of Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers ended up in hospital - for the best possible reasons.

Manchester Evening News 23/12/04


Kidney swaps a success for 50 years

IT was once considered a medical miracle - and now today marks the 50th anniversary of the first successful organ transplant.

Manchester Evening News 23/12/04



Household chemicals 'linked to childhood breathing problems'

BLEACH, paint stripper and carpet cleaners used in the home can cause wheezing and asthma in children, research suggests today.

Manchester Evening News 22/12/04