News

Headlines

Total GP purchasing launched: One hundred and thirty five general practices in 34 pilot schemes in England have successfully applied to become total purchasers of hospital and community services. They will join the 51 English and six Scottish projects launched in 1995 and all will be included in the national evaluation programme.

Global cancer information service planned: Cancer specialists are planning a global cancer information service linking the American Physicians Data Query, in existence for 10 years, and a newer European database, State of the Art Oncology in Europe. The databases hold lists of clinical trials and directories of organisations concerned with cancer care.

One in three UK prisoners take drugs: In a national programme of random drug testing in 120 British jails, more than a third of prisoners had positive results. Most were using soft drugs, such as cannabis; heroin was used by 4% of prisoners and benzodiazepine by 2%.

Organ donor register gets financial boost: A pounds sterling450000 ($675000) campaign has been launched by the Department of Health to publicise the NHS organ donor register. The register holds 2.75 million names, and registration forms are available in general practices, post offices, and pharmacies.

Kuwait launches healthy living campaign: The health ministry in Kuwait has launched a campaign to promote healthy eating and combat obesity. The death rate from coronary artery disease and diabetes among people in their 40s and 50s is attributed to a rich diet and lack of exercise.

Killer at US abortion clinics convicted: John C Salvi III has been convicted of the murder of two abortion clinic workers and of five counts of assault. He was given a mandatory life sentence without parole.

EU tightens ban on beef fed with hormones: European Union ministers defeated Britain this week to tighten an existing ban on the use of hormones in beef production. The EU is anxious to reassure consumers that beef is safe after the outcry over mad cow disease.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?