Press release: New Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health

Press release: New Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health Chris Wormald has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health, following Dame Una O’Brien’s recent announcement that she is to step down from the role. Chris will move across from his current role of Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education. The appointment has been made by the Cabinet Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health. Department of Health

VIDEO: Breakthrough treatment for MS patient

VIDEO: Breakthrough treatment for MS patient Multiple sclerosis patient Steven Storey explains how a new treatment has improved his quality of life. BBC News

See also:

• Cancer treatment for MS patients gives 'remarkable' results BBC News

Dementia 'hospital Russian roulette'

Dementia 'hospital Russian roulette' Dementia patients are playing Russian roulette with their health when they are admitted to hospital in England, a charity is warning. BBC News

French brain-dead drugs trial man dies

French brain-dead drugs trial man dies A man left brain-dead after an experimental drug trial in France has died, French media report. BBC News

See also:

• The troubled history of clinical drug trials The Independent

One in four adults 'has mental illness'

One in four adults 'has mental illness' One in four adults has been diagnosed with a mental illness at some stage during their lifetime, the annual health survey for England suggests. BBC News

See also:

• A quarter of adults diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime Health and Social Care Information Centre
• Shocking state of England's mental health: Almost HALF of adults have battled conditions including depression - and it's women who are most likely to suffer The Daily Mail

GP leaders to debate mass resignation from practice contracts

GP leaders to debate mass resignation from practice contracts GP leaders will later this month debate proposals for mass resignation from the NHS unless a rescue package for general practice is secured. GP Online

NHS hospitals to set example for rest of country with their own 'sugar tax'

NHS hospitals to set example for rest of country with their own 'sugar tax' 'All of us working in the NHS have a responsibility, not just to support those who look after patients'. The Independent

See also:

• NHS England 'to impose 20% sugar tax' BBC News
• NHS chief to introduce sugar tax in hospitals to tackle UK obesity crisis The Guardian

A portrait of the National Health Service: 'It's almost like a religion'

A portrait of the National Health Service: 'It's almost like a religion' It employs one in 20 British workers, costs £260,000 a minute to run and deals with almost 5 million patients a week. But who are the people that keep the NHS on its feet? With the service at a crossroads, Jon Henley meets NHS staff and finds passion, dedication – and trepidation about the future Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• This is the NHS: day one of our groundbreaking project – rolling blog The Guardian
• Nye Bevan's dream: a history of the NHS The Guardian
• The National Health Service explained - video The Guardian
• The Guardian view on the NHS: how much is the nation prepared to pay? | Editorial The Guardian

The secret hospital manager's diary: 'There's a bed crisis and staff are off sick'

The secret hospital manager's diary: 'There's a bed crisis and staff are off sick' A manager says there’s no problem too big or small when running a hospital –whether it’s how to recruit more nurses or dealing with a lumpy mattress

I’m walking the dog when my pager goes off. Most people wonder why I carry one when I’m not a doctor. It should be in case of a major incident: fire, flood, power outage or a terrorist attack, where the manager coordinates the response. Today, it’s for the bed crisis. Staff are off sick and I need to sign off the cost of agency staff. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS fined £40,000 after man on mobility scooter fell to his death

NHS fined £40,000 after man on mobility scooter fell to his death Benjamin Withers plunged 12ft onto concrete when temporary barrier on elevated walkway collapsed at Fareham health centre in Hampshire

The NHS has been fined £40,000 after an 82-year-old man riding a mobility scooter fell 12ft (3.7 metres) to his death when a barrier on an elevated walkway collapsed.

Benjamin Withers was visiting Fareham health centre in Hampshire when his scooter collided with a wooden weather screen placed around the main entrance. Continue reading... The Guardian

Jeremy Hunt warns he could impose the new contracts on junior doctors if no deal can be done

Jeremy Hunt warns he could impose the new contracts on junior doctors if no deal can be done The Health Secretary said he "really hopes" he does not have to impose new contracts, which propose changes to hospital doctors' working contracts. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Jeremy Hunt says he is 'busting a gut' to ensure A&E departments will stay open if junior doctors strike again next month The Daily Telegraph
• Hunt revives threat of 'nuclear option' for junior doctors contract The Guardian
• Jeremy Hunt: imposing junior doctors' contracts is last resort - video The Guardian
• Junior doctors strike: Jeremy Hunt fails to guarantee patient safety during February A&E walkout The Independent

'Cure' for MS as patients condition 'permanently' reversed

'Cure' for MS as patients condition 'permanently' reversed Wheelchair-bound patients able to walk again after stem-cell therapy. The Daily Telegraph