Fire crews treated patients 387 times in three months

Fire crews treated patients 387 times in three months Hundreds of patients who dial 999 and ask for an ambulance are now being sent firefighters or, on some occasions, police officers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Speech: Secretary of State for Health: message to NHS staff

Speech: Secretary of State for Health: message to NHS staff This week was a major milestone for the NHS, with our final response to the Francis report. It comes on the back of a challenging year of unprecedented scrutiny and transparency. It has not been easy, but I am confident the result will be a profound change in culture that will make our NHS the safest health system in the world.

Friendship line for elderly launched

Friendship line for elderly launched Esther Rantzen launches a free 24-hour dedicated helpline for older people that aims to provide friendship and combat loneliness. BBC News

Delayed hospital discharges examined

Delayed hospital discharges examined NHS figures have highlighted the growing impact of delays in discharging patients in England once they are fit to leave hospital. BBC News

See also:

• NHS Bed blocking increases to highest level in three years  The Daily Telegraph

'Fat gene' could make you 'eat more and move less'

'Fat gene' could make you 'eat more and move less' "Do YOU have the fat gene?" the Mail Online asks, saying that, "90% of obese people could have mutation that means they're programmed to eat more and move less". Its report is based on a genetic analysis of a multigenerational Arab Israeli family in which it appeared that morbid obesity "ran in the family".

The UK strategy for rare diseases

The UK strategy for rare diseases This strategy contains over 50 commitments to ensure people living with a rare disease have access to the best evidence-based care and treatment that health and social services, working with charities, researchers and industry, can provide.

• Strategy document
• Department of Health - publications

Hospitals scramble to prevent crisis in NHS's 'toughest ever' winter

Hospitals scramble to prevent crisis in NHS's 'toughest ever' winter NHS deputy chief executive says service 'pulling out all the stops' to deal with impact of bad weather, flu and vomiting bug.

Hundreds of convicted doctors still practising

Hundreds of convicted doctors still practising Medical chiefs say they cannot automatically ban convicted doctors because it may breach their human rights. The Daily Telegraph

'Stealth' pay rises for NHS staff costing £1bn a year

'Stealth' pay rises for NHS staff costing £1bn a year The NHS is spending almost £1 billion a year on a stealth system of automatic pay rises, which have seen earnings rise by up to a third in five years. The Daily Telegraph

NHS hospitals send overseas for nurses before winter crisis

NHS hospitals send overseas for nurses before winter crisis

Hundreds of Spanish nurses will start work across Britain this week, having been fast-tracked to work at NHS hospitals in what the Royal College of Nursing is describing as a “crisis in workforce supply”. The Independent

Reactor closure puts medical scans at risk as shortage of radioactive material could jeopardise patients’ health

Reactor closure puts medical scans at risk as shortage of radioactive material could jeopardise patients’ health

A worldwide shortage of radioactive material vital for the operation of medical scanners could jeopardise patients’ health in the UK, say senior doctors. They are calling on the Government to prevent a shortage of a radioactive isotope used to diagnose cancers and heart defects. The Independent