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National News
Chernobyl disaster linked to higher rate of infant mortality in Britain - Independent 23/03/06
The debate over the health effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Britain reopens today with research which suggests that infant deaths were higher in areas where rain fell as the plume of fallout passed overhead.
Banned drug can reverse Alzheimer's disease - Independent 23/03/06
A drug that has been banned from the NHS can reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease in the worst affected patients, researchers have discovered.
Drug 'treats severe Alzheimer's' - BBC News 23/03/06
Royal Free is latest hospital forced to make job cuts - Independent 23/03/06
One of the country's leading teaching hospitals announced it was cutting hundreds of jobs yesterday in a further sign of the NHS's worsening financial crisis.
Drug can double breast cancer survival - the Daily Mail 23/03/06
Combining a drug with chemotherapy can double the survival of women with breast cancer. Scientists found Avastin kept the cancer under control for twice as long with only 'minimal' side effects. The drug blocks the growth of new blood vessels that are needed for the cancer to grow and spread beyond the breast. The chemotherapy treatment attacks the tumour
Brown 'silence' on NHS criticised - BBC News 23/03/06
Gordon Brown is facing criticism for not doing enough for the NHS in his Budget after a hospital announced job cuts - the fourth to do so in a week.
Mental Health Bill 'to be axed' - BBC News 23/03/06
The government is expected to abandon its Mental Health Bill - despite spending eight years and millions of pounds preparing it.
NHS sheds 2,000 jobs in a week - The Times 23/03/06
Increased government funding has not prevented the downgrading of services to patients TWO more hospitals last night joined the list of NHS trusts forced to cut services because of their debts, taking the number of job cuts to more than 2,000 in less than a week.
NHS hospital redundancies gather pace - Guardian 23/03/06
A wave of redundancies across the NHS in England gathered force yesterday when a London teaching hospital announced that nearly 500 posts will be axed in an attempt to dig the trust out of deficit.
Two-drug therapy may slow breast cancer advance - Guardian 23/03/06
People with advanced breast cancer can live nearly twice as long without the disease worsening if they are treated with a new combination of certain drugs, according to results from an American trial revealed yesterday.
Hospital allows patients to harm themselves - the Daily Mail 22/03/06
Patients will be allowed to self-harm in hospital as part of a study into their treatment. Instead of confiscating knives and razors, the pilot scheme will let patients cut themselves in a 'safe environment.' Around 100,000 accident and emergency consultations each year are linked to self-harm but experts think many more people may be practising it in secret.
Oily fish 'could block prostate cancer' - the Daily Mail 22/03/06
Men who eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish may be protected from developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Scientists found that omega-3 fats could block the spread of cancerous cells and believe it could be effective in treating early prostate cancer. Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that work together to promote good health. The body cannot make them, so eating a diet rich in the substances is important.
Salt U-turn condemned by health campaigners - the Daily Mail 22/03/06
A salt campaign group has condemned the Government climbdown in cutting salt levels in food and accused them of giving into pressure from the food industry. The Food Standards Agency aimed to cut consumer daily intake of salt from 10gm to 6gm by 2010. They drew up maximum levels of salt for 85 food products from crisps to ready-meals.
International News
NICE Issues Guidance On Laser Eye Surgery For Treating Refractive Errors, UK - Medical News Today 23/03/06
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (22 March) issued guidance on photorefractive (laser) eye surgery for the treatment of refractive errors (short and long-sightedness) to determine whether it is safe enough and works well enough for use. The guidance does not recommend that laser eye surgery should be offered to patients routinely on the NHS, as for most people eye problems can easily be corrected by wearing spectacles or contact lenses.
NICE Issues Guidance On Drug Treatments For ADHD, UK - Medical News Today 23/03/06
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) today issued guidance to the NHS in England and Wales on the use of methylphenidate, atomoxetine and dexamfetamine for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. This updates previous guidance (TA no. 13) issued in October 2000, which gave recommendations on methylphenidate only.
Hepatitis C Epidemic Vastly Underestimated By UK Government - Medical News Today 23/03/06
There are more than double the number of people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in England and Wales than the government has estimated, delegates at the British Society of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific Meeting were warned.
Exercise Reduces Menopausal Symptoms And Improves Quality Of Life, Says New Research - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Regular exercise can reduce severe symptoms in menopausal women and improve their quality of life, according to a study in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Mammography Does Not Increase Risk Of Breast Cancer In High Risk Women - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Mammography screening does not increase risk of breast cancer in women who have a particular genetic mutation, known as a BRCA mutation, according to researchers reporting online in The Lancet Oncology. "These findings do not lend support to the idea that exposure to ionizing radiation through routine screening mammography contributes substantially to the burden of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers", says lead author Steven Narod.
Consumption Of Risky Foods Declines - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Americans are eating safer. The number of people who reported eating one or more foods associated with an increased risk of foodborne disease declined by a third from 1998 to 2002, according to survey results released today at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases
Old Age Can Mean A Better Quality Of Life - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Increasing age does not necessarily cause a reduction in the quality of life, and in some cases, can even improve it. Research published online this month in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, describes how researchers looked at indicators of the quality of life, and found that in England it is above average between the ages of 50 and 84, and in some cases increases compared with earlier years.
Weather Predicts Volume Of Trauma Center Admissions - Medical News Today 23/03/06
While it seems logical to assume higher temperatures, snowfall, weekends and evenings are key variables that drive a higher number of patients to the emergency room, do these same factors increase trauma admissions? According to results from a study presented today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) 73rd Annual Meeting, weather and seasonal variations do affect admissions at a level-one trauma center. The study findings offer insight into improving staffing at trauma centers to better accommodate an influx of patients during high-volume periods.
Pain Relief Options After Total Joint Replacement - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Though considered among the most beneficial of surgical procedures -- in terms of restoring quality of life and mobility -- total hip or knee replacement-related post-operative pain may leave some patients initially questioning why they underwent the operation. This perception, coupled with patient anxiety pre-surgery and recent manufacturer withdrawals of certain prescription pain relievers, has prompted physicians to explore alternatives to enhance patient care. At the 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), a panel of orthopaedic experts discussed the efficacy of pain management options after joint replacement and their impact on bone healing.
New Promise On The Horizon For Treating Orthopaedic Conditions - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Recent advances in gene therapy, stem cells and other promising applications are offering new hope for patients and helping orthopaedic surgeons provide state-of-the-art treatment for various frame-related conditions. During a briefing today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) 73rd Annual Meeting, a panel of orthopaedic surgeons and members of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) discussed how these investigational applications may someday treat a variety of bone, joint and muscle-related conditions more readily than many physicians ever imagined possible.
Hip Surgery In The Elderly And Obese: Optimizing Outcomes - Medical News Today 23/03/06
As many Americans continue to grow older, another large part of the population is faced with the growing problem of obesity: both of these conditions can adversely impact mobility and ultimately, patients' independence. At the 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) studies were presented about how these two factors -- aging and excess weight -- impact patient outcome after hip replacement, revision hip replacement and fracture-related surgical treatment. A series of research studies concluded that preoperatively, patients should undergo a full medical evaluation and physicians should optimize pre-existing conditions to ensure the patient is in the best health possible prior to undergoing surgery.
Extreme Personality Poses Risk Of ADHD, Conduct Disorder - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Children with personalities marked by aggressiveness, mood swings, a sense of alienation and a need for excitement may be at greater risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder, according to a new Florida State University study.
Wall Street Journal Examines Availability, Ease Of Health Information Through New Search Engines - Medical News Today 23/03/06
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday examined how searching for medical information on the Internet "is starting to get easier" as a "range of Internet companies ... are launching tailored search engines that aim to deliver patients and their families more relevant health-related content online."
Angina, A Common Form Of Heart Disease, Is More Dangerous For Women Than Was Previously Thought - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Angina, a common form of heart disease, is more dangerous for women than was previously thought, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The collaborative study, led by UCL (University College London) and funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that angina in women is as common as it is in men, in contrast to heart attacks (myocardial infarction) which have a higher rate in men. The findings suggest that the medical profession should pay more attention to thoroughly investigating and diagnosing women suspected of having angina.
Women Often Not Told, Do Not Understand Risks Of Delivering By Caesarean Section, Survey Says - Medical News Today 23/03/06
Many pregnant women are inadequately informed about potential complications relating to caesarean section delivery, and almost all women surveyed believed that there was a medical reason for having their c-section, according to preliminary results of a survey released on Monday by the not-for-profit maternity care group Childbirth Connection, CQ HealthBeat reports (McGrane, CQ HealthBeat, 3/20).
Possible Alzheimer's Link To Brain Organ Revealed By Purdue Findings - Medical News Today 23/03/06
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Researchers have discovered that an organ in the brain called the choroid plexus apparently plays a critical role in preventing the accumulation of a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Kids With Cavities Overweight, Not Underweight - Medical News Today 23/03/06
New evidence from pediatric dentists at the University at Buffalo has shown that, contrary to previous findings, most young children with decayed "baby" teeth are not underweight, and actually may be overweight or at risk of being overweight.
Cheshire and Merseyside News
Dentists 'chaos' fears - Midweek Visiter 22/03/06
SOUTHPORT MP John Pugh has accused NHS dentistry of "flying by the seat of its pants" ahead of its April 1 shake-up. The Lib Dems ' deputy spokesman for health fears a lack of information from Southport and Formby Primary Care Trust about the new fee structure could create a shortage of NHS dentists "for months" before new practices come into operation.
Coroner warns of wheelchair risks - Liverpool Echo 22/03/06
LIVERPOOL's coroner is to write to the secretary of state for health following the death of a teenager whose wheelchair toppled down steps during a visit to the cinema.
1,000 sign petition to save VIN ward - Northwich Chronicle 22/03/06
MORE than 1,000 people have petitioned against 'ludicrous' cutbacks at the Victoria Infirmiary, Northwich (VIN). Three volunteers at the hospital have launched the petition which they hope will halt the proposed closure of the inpatients ward at the hospital.
Medical centre opening on schedule - Northwich Chronicle 22/03/06
NORTHWICH'S newest medical centre is quickly taking shape. Contractors are on course to complete the £2.2m Firdale Road medical centre in May, and it is expected to open on time in June.
Greater Manchester News
Diet to beat breast cancer - Manchester Evening News 23/03/06
DIETING for two days a week could cut people's risk of breast cancer by almost 80 per cent, according to Manchester scientists. Researchers at the Genesis Centre at Withington Hospital are seeking 105 women to take part in a study they believe could provide a major breakthrough in the fight against the killer disease
Easy-access booze 'damages health' - Manchester Evening News 22/03/06
CHEAP and plentiful alcohol could cause a health crisis reminiscent of the horrors of the 18th century "Gin Lane", a liver expert warned. The availability of alcohol "next to bread and milk" in supermarkets and in all-day pubs is damaging health, Professor Ian Gilmore tol
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