LATEST NEWS

RCN demands help for smokers in deprived areas

The RCN is calling for more to be done to stop people smoking in deprived communities. Read more

Pharmacists offer to deliver vascular checks instead of GPs

Pharmacists are actively approaching PCTs over plans to deliver the DoH's vascular checks programme in a move that could cut out GPs. Read more

Bradshaw maintains practices operate 'gentlemen's agreements'

The DoH has received letters from patients complaining that practices have made 'gentlemen's agreements' not to compete for patients, health minister Ben Bradshaw has said. Read more

Drug and alcohol psychiatric admissions up 29%

The number of admissions to psychiatric care for drug and alcohol problems has increased by 29 per cent over the last three years, according to UK research. Read more

Lib Dems accuse Brown of prescription charge U-turn

The Liberal Democrats have accused prime minister Gordon Brown of backing away from a commitment to exempt patients with long-term conditions from prescription charges in England. Read more

Proportion of complaints against GPs 'low'

Just a third of NHS complaints are about GPs despite 90 per cent of patient care being administered exclusively in primary care, according to the National Audit Office. Read more

NHS staff survey launched by Healthcare Commission

The Healthcare Commission is encouraging NHS employees to provide feedback on their experiences at work by participating in the annual NHS staff survey. Read more

Priming jab 'speeds up bird flu protection'

Protection against bird flu could be provided within a week if an immunisation strategy using a priming jab were introduced, a study suggests. Read more

Non-invasive testing success for ruptured membranes in pregnancy

Non-invasive testing could replace intrusive and expensive procedures for detecting ruptured membranes in pregnancy. Read more

GPC condemns criticism of GP pay as 'out of date'

MPs' criticism of GP pay rises under the new GMS contract has been condemned by the GPC as 'based on an out-of-date understanding of the current situation'. Read more