Health
NHS at 60
A useful collection of articles and opinion pieces linked to the 60th Anniversary of the NHS
Editors' picks, The Guardian.
Supermarket's dentist offers check-ups before check-out
Helen Carter, Tuesday September 16 2008, The Guardian.
Tuberculosis or hair loss?
Most medical research targets conditions that kill relatively few people. A global research fund could change that
Peter Singer, Tuesday September 16 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Gene tests 'create undue stress'
Gene tests to predict a person's future risk of life-threatening disease may be damaging to health by causing unnecessary stress, an expert claims.
Monday, 15 September 2008, BBC News.
Heart care failings 'across UK'
Every cardiac rehabilitation service in the UK is understaffed, the British Heart Foundation has warned.
Sunday, 14 September 2008, BBC News.
Down's tests are great risk for all babies
Screening for syndrome puts healthy foetuses in danger of being miscarried, new research shows
Victoria Macdonald, Sunday September 14 2008, The Observer.
Private equity takes on primary healthcare
Nick Mathiason, Sunday September 14 2008, The Observer.
Let NHS patients pay for drugs - thinktank
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Friday September 12 2008, The Guardian.
New backstop to save NHS hospitals from bankruptcy
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Thursday September 11 2008, The Guardian.
Cancer patient wins legal battle for last-hope drug
John Aston, Thursday September 11 2008, The Guardian.
Doctors running out of antibiotics to fight some infections, say experts
Don't quit less profitable research, drug firms urged - Remedies critical for public health, says agency
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Thursday September 11 2008, The Guardian.
The attack on Nice is wide of the mark
Sarah Boseley, Thursday September 11 2008, The Guardian.
Online lifelines
For many people with serious illnesses, blogging offers a way to cope and share their stories. By Joanna Moorhead
Joanna Moorhead, Tuesday September 9 2008, The Guardian.
Postcode lottery for patients with cancer and heart disease
Spending on care varies widely from area to area - Survey says differences cannot always be justified
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Monday September 8 2008, The Guardian.
Deprived areas data reveals cancer survival divide
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday September 5 2008, The Guardian.
Fight for blood cancer drug goes to high court
Owen Bowcott, Friday September 5 2008, The Guardian.
People in poorer areas less likely to survive cancer, figures show
David Batty and agencies, Thursday September 4 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Treatment to stop blindness finally approved for NHS
Two-year course will cost trusts up to £18,000 - Debate over similar but cheaper drug used in US
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday August 27 2008, The Guardian.
Medicines chief calls for end to postcode prescribing
Sara Gaines and agencies, Monday August 18 2008, Society Guardian.
NHS is failing the over-50s, claims university study
Press Association, Friday August 15 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Barbara Young: 'Talking softly and carrying a big stick'
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Tuesday August 12 2008, Society Guardian.'John Carvel questions the new Care Quality Commission chairwoman about the future regulation of health and social care in England and whether her affiliation to Labour will inhibit her independence'
Fury as NHS 'dithers' over £110m gift
Mark Gould, Wednesday August 13 2008, The Guardian.
Woman 'left in waste' in hospital
Tuesday, 5 August 2008, BBC News.
Patients with learning disabilities face NHS neglect, claims official inquiry
Staff and agencies, Tuesday July 29 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Your DNA's in the post
Fancy being told you have a higher-than-average chance of getting prostate cancer but are at low risk of glaucoma? Now for about £500 you can have your genetic make-up analysed. Rob Liddle swabbed his cheek and sent off for a scan.
Monday, 28 July 2008, BBC News Magazine.
Patientline: NHS bedside phone provider goes into administration
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Saturday July 26 2008, The Guardian.
Terence Blacker: Why are doctors so oddly thin-skinned?
Friday, 25 July 2008, The Independent. ★★★★★
Dominic Lawson: We should have no reason to be surprised when a doctor turns out to be a murderer
Friday, 25 July 2008, The Independent [this is not obviously an article on 'health' but this seemed the most appropriate section in which to post a link to this interesting - some would say controversial - article].
Nascis to harness council data to improve planning and services
Mithran Samuel, Thursday 24 July 2008, communitycare.co.uk.
NHS Choices will need to justify its £80m price tag
Michael Cross, Thursday July 24, 2008, The Guardian.
Pensioners win treatment after court battle for sight-saving drug
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday July 23, 2008, The Guardian.
Breast awareness is best
"Women are getting mixed messages about breast cancer and, when it comes to examination, many are unsure of the best approach to take"
Samia Al Quadi, Monday July 21, 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Badly trained doctors linked to baby deaths
Amelia Hill, social affairs correspondent, Sunday July 20, 2008, The Observer."A top consultant blames inexperienced physicians and a lack of trained specialists in maternal health for poor care and rising mortality rates"
Drugs: Decision on cervical cancer vaccine is false economy, say health groups
Sarah Boseley, Friday July 18, 2008, The Guardian.
NHS manager preyed on clinic's patients, inquiry finds
Rachel Williams, Thursday July 17, 2008, The Guardian.
Health: Britain lags behind in world cancer survival, says study
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Thursday July 17, 2008, The Guardian.
Cancer: Detailed breast self-examinations may do 'more harm than good'
Ian Sample, science correspondent, Wednesday July 16, 2008, The Guardian.
N.B. Please note response to this article, above ['Breast awareness is best']
Superbug vaccines no quick fix, charity warns
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Monday July 14, 2008, The Guardian.
Doctors rage at being rated online
Denis Campbell, health correspondent, Sunday July 13, 2008, The Observer."GPs fear a new website allowing patients to judge their competence will expose them to abuse and vendettas"
Wide variation in trusts' death rates for major surgery shown in new figures
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Friday July 11, 2008, The Guardian.
Serious flaws found in NHS maternity care
"NHS watchdog condemns poor maternity care - Poor care and tribal attitudes of staff putting women at risk - watchdog"
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Thursday July 10, 2008, The Guardian.
Topping up NHS cancer care with private drugs divides doctors
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Thursday July 10, 2008, The Guardian.
This is a barbaric way to run the frontline of the NHS
"A&E is still a distressing holding pen for the sick and vulnerable, where the state has abdicated all responsibility for care"
Jenni Russell, Thursday July 10, 2008, The Guardian.
Hospices take on a more positive role
Alison Benjamin, Wednesday July 9, 2008, The Guardian.
Monthly prescription
Tuesday July 8, 2008, The Guardian."A recent report suggests that more and more women are being offered antidepressants for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Is this really the solution for a complex condition? Luisa Dillner reports"
NHS reform like a supermarket war, say doctors
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Tuesday July 8, 2008, The Guardian.
The NHS isn't Ikea
Yvonne Roberts, Monday July 7, 2008, guardian.co.uk."Consumer-style choice in the NHS isn't working. What we need is a holistic attitude to care, and a focus on the huge importance of staff morale"
HealthSpace site lets patients manage medical records online
David Batty, Friday July 4, 2008, The Guardian.
Beyond the matron state
Stephen Pollard, Thursday July 3, 2008, The Guardian.
A kick in the teeth for the government
Ogoamaka Eze, Thursday July 3, 2008, guardian.co.uk."A select committee's criticism of dental policy is not news to dentists, who've been struggling for years to meet unrealistic targets"
For fresh thinking, don't forget history
David Walker, Wednesday July 2, 2008, The Guardian.
Health: Patients and dentists let down by NHS reforms, say MPs
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday July 2, 2008, The Guardian.
NHS patients to get free healthcare throughout EU
David Batty and agencies, Wednesday July 2, 2008, guardian.co.uk.
NHS review: Darzi plan offers patients more choices and more information
"Review of health service in England has no new targets or national polyclinics plan"
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Tuesday July 1, 2008, The Guardian.
Competing hospitals will improve standards in NHS, says review
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Monday June 30, 2008, The Guardian.
Migrant builder took home £8.80 for a week
Matthew Taylor and Esther Addley, Monday June 30, 2008, The Guardian.
NHS is being seriously wounded by privatisation
"Commercialism, competition, patronage and fear are undermining the health service in its 60th year, writes Dr Kailash Chand"
Monday June 30, 2008, Society Guardian.
In a world of league tables, compassion loses out
Simon Caulkin, management editor, Sunday June 29, 2008, The Observer.
A surgical revolution: checklist that could prevent thousands of deaths
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Wednesday, 25 June 2008, The Independent.
Crowded wards 'add to patient infection risks'
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Tuesday, 24 June 2008, The Independent.
Patient champion
"Driven by a personal tragedy, Josephine Ocloo campaigns to give a voice to those who feel they have been wronged by the medical profession and to make healthcare in Britain safer. Mark Gould reports"
Mark Gould, Wednesday June 25, 2008, The Guardian. ★★★★★
David Cameron sets out NHS reform plans
Sara Gaines, Tuesday June 24, 2008, Society Guardian.
Quiet Brown has kept NHS off front pages
"Lack of radical initiatives from PM has led to increased satisfaction in healthcare, writes John Carvel"
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Tuesday June 24, 2008, guardian.co.uk.
Local inequalities mark map of wellbeing
Sarah Boseley and John Carvel, Tuesday June 24, 2008, The Guardian.
Cameron would scrap NHS targets in power
Nicholas Watt and Charlotte Higgins, Tuesday June 24, 2008, The Guardian.
The problem with payments
Editorial, Friday June 20, 2008, The Guardian.
The public deserves protection from the false hope of 'wonder drugs'
"Calls to allow patients to top up treatments with their own money ignore how seldom the NHS denies patients help"
Polly Toynbee, Friday June 20, 2008, The Guardian.
Use of 'chemical cosh' drugs to be restricted
"Review of treatment of dementia patients - Inappropriate prescribing 'cutting lives short'"
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday June 20, 2008, The Guardian.
Nurses to be rated on how compassionate and smiley they are
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday June 18 2008, The Guardian.
Rethink over NHS ban on patients buying drugs
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday June 18 2008, The Guardian.
Ministers in U-turn over the right to 'top-up' NHS treatments
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Wednesday, 18 June 2008, The Independent.
Quarter of NHS trusts failing hygiene tests
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Monday June 16 2008, The Guardian.
Doctors raise fears over new placebo pill for children
Damien Francis, Monday June 16 2008, The Guardian.
When it comes to hospital hygiene, Matron and her team know best
"They may have been cinematic figures of fun but the real-life ward sisters protected patients"
Brian Morton, Sunday June 15 2008, The Observer.
The Big Question: What are polyclinics, and why are doctors so angry about them?
Friday, 13 June 2008, The Independent.
User friendly
"Two cheers for the Care Quality Commission, says Don Redding"
Wednesday June 11 2008, The Guardian.★★★★★
Health inequality getting worse, Alan Johnson admits
Andrew Sparrow, senior political correspondent, Monday June 9 2008, guardian.co.uk.
The silent treatment
"Your loved one is seriously ill in hospital with busy staff tending to them. Amid all the stress, how do you get clear answers about their care? Joanna Moorhead reports"
Tuesday June 10, 2008, The Guardian.
The NHS, but not as you know it
Anna Dixon, Wednesday May 14 2008, The Guardian.
The tourist trap
"A report out today rejects the claim that the NHS is being exploited by people coming to the UK just to get free health treatment. But some parts of the service say tough restrictions are necessary. Mark Gould reports"
Mark Gould, Wednesday May 14 2008, The Guardian.
Survey of patients shows big NHS performance gaps
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday May 14 2008, The Guardian [full information on the Healthcare Commission study can be found by following this link].
Axing specialist nurses is putting health reforms at risk, RCN warns
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday April 30 2008, The Guardian.
Targets harm A&E patients, say nurses
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Tuesday April 29 2008, The Guardian.
Labour's perverse polyclinic scheme is the next step in privatising the NHS
George Monbiot, Tuesday April 29 2008, The Guardian.
The blind man who was given the gift of sight by gene therapy
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Monday, 28 April 2008, The Independent.
Nurses 'spend 1m hours a week on bureaucracy'
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Monday April 28 2008, The Guardian.
Government warned on DIY cancer treatments
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Monday April 28 2008, The Guardian.
C. difficile superbug 'kills one elderly patient every hour in the UK' – and that's a world record
Sadie Gray, Sunday, 27 April 2008, The Independent.
Surgeons unhappy at sterilisation service provided by private firms
Sadie Gray, Friday, 25 April 2008, The Independent.
NHS fight against MRSA falters
John Carvel, Friday April 25 2008, The Guardian.
1 in 5 parents refuse daughters' cervical cancer jab
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday April 25 2008, The Guardian.
Struck off: One in five surgeries faces closure
Jane Merrick and Nina Lakhani, Sunday, 20 April 2008, The Independent.
Home diabetes kits waste £100m a year, says research
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday April 18 2008, The Guardian.
A 'Savile Row' NHS
"While some primary care trusts are prepared to allow small exclusive clinics, the government is planning monolithic health services for the masses, writes Caroline Bennett"
April 17, 2008, Guardian.
Drug firm accused of death rate data failures
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday April 16 2008, The Guardian.
Do we want an NHS that allows profiteering from patients?
"As a poll of GPs shows that only a third of them believe the NHS will be free at the point of contact in a decade Mark Espiner says we should act now to save community practice driven by the desire to care, rather than by money"
April 10, 2008, Guardian Blogs.
Ambulance service put lives at risk to beat target
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Thursday April 10 2008, The Guardian.
Patients 'not NHS staff's top priority'
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday April 9 2008, The Guardian.
Scientists attack 'breakthrough' cancer drugs
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Wednesday, 9 April 2008, The Independent.
NHS GPs at new Virgin health centres will get 10% of profits
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday April 9 2008, The Guardian.
Pharma firms end drug trials early in rush to beat rivals, say experts
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday April 9 2008, The Guardian.
EU plan may let drug firms sidestep ban on advertising
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Tuesday April 8 2008, The Guardian.
Tranquillisers putting children's lives at risk
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Monday April 7 2008, The Guardian.
MRSA-infected medics allowed to keep working
Brian Brady, Whitehall Editor, Sunday, 6 April 2008, The Independent.
Thalidomide victims launch battle for more compensation
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday April 4 2008, The Guardian.
Adverse drug reactions cost NHS £2bn
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Thursday April 3 2008, The Guardian.
Warning on drugs for Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Tuesday April 1 2008, The Guardian.
Unwell adjusted
"Labour pledged to reduce health inequality, but new figures show a widening gap. What has gone wrong?"
Interviews: Mary O'Hara, Debbie Andalo, Wednesday March 19 2008, The Guardian.
Voices of reason
"A debate is raging over an NHS constitution promising 'independence', but where are the views of patients and what's in it for them?"
Angela Coulter and Don Redding, Wednesday March 12 2008, The Guardian.
My years in the dark
"Doctors terrified her, strangers robbed her and friends failed her. Penny Anderson has many unpleasant and embarrassing memories of her temporary blindness. But there were some funny moments too ..."
Penny Anderson, Monday February 25 2008, The Guardian.
Drugs law to be tightened as Seroxat firm is rebuked
Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor, Friday, 7 March 2008, The Independent.
Drug companies must reveal more data after Seroxat results withheld
David Batty, Martin Hodgson and Nicholas Watt, Thursday March 6 2008, guardian.co.uk
£180m repaid to patients who sold homes to pay for long-term care ★★★★★
Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, The Independent.
Health chief attacks £140m NHS 'tinkering'
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday January 9 2008, The Guardian.
2007
Child gets leukaemia after gene therapy
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Wednesday December 19 2007, The Guardian.
Medicines: U-turn on eye drug will help thousands
"Thousands of people will be saved from going blind following a U-turn by drugs watchdog"
Sarah Boseley, health editor, Friday December 14 2007, The Guardian.
Infiltrating the waiting room
"Many 'health advice' pamphlets for patients at GP surgeries have no NHS authorisation. Rather, they are put out by companies promoting products. And the claims these leaflets make are often fiercely disputed by health experts. Leo Hickman investigates"
Leo Hickman, Friday December 14 2007, The Guardian. ★★★★★
Firms pay £15,000 for health ads in waiting room booklet
Leo Hickman, Friday December 14 2007, The Guardian.
NHS: OFT sounds alarm over drugs deal
"NHS could pay GBP500m a year more for medicines'
Marianne Barriaux, Wednesday December 12 2007, The Guardian.
NHS greatly improved - but not for all
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Wednesday December 5 2007, The Guardian.
Minister admits slip over NHS figures
David Brindle, Public services editor, Friday November 9 2007, Society Guardian.
Minister allows 'buffer zone' for hospitals to hit 18-week target
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Friday November 9 2007, The Guardian.
New watchdog to oversee NHS
Sara Gaines and agencies, Tuesday November 6 2007, Society Guardian.
NHS superbug inquiry blames trust for deaths
"C difficile outbreak which killed 90 patients may trigger criminal charges"
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Thursday October 11, 2007, The Guardian.
NHS patients who complain risk victimisation, say inspectors
"Dozen health bodies named and shamed - Procedures 'fragmented and inconsistent'
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Monday October 8 2007, The Guardian.
NHS to fund new arthritis drug
David Batty and agencies, Wednesday August 22 2007, guardian.co.uk.
Cameron urged to apologise over NHS
Hélène Mulholland, Wednesday August 22 2007, guardian.co.uk.
Cameron offensive on hospitals in disarray after attack by Tory MP
"Backbench critic leads chorus of complaints - Officials deny that services on leader's list are at risk"
Michael White, Wednesday August 22 2007, The Guardian.
NHS overhaul: study says lives at risk
"A&E closures row intensifies as survival chances linked to ambulance journey"
Polly Curtis, health correspondent, Tuesday August 21 2007, The Guardian.
First human trial of DNA-based vaccine cheers MS researchers
Ian Sample, Science Correspondent, Tuesday August 14 2007, The Guardian.
NHS patients who complain risk victimisation, say inspectors
John Carvel, social affairs editor, Monday October 8 2007, The Guardian. ★★★★★
Noise of modern life blamed for thousands of heart deaths
"Stress of exposure adds to risks, says WHO report - Light traffic is enough for chronic levels at night"
Alok Jha, science correspondent, Thursday August 23 2007, The Guardian.
Cameron pledges 'bare knuckle fight' over local NHS
David Batty, Monday August 20 2007, guardian.co.uk.
Doctors warned over arthritis drug after two die in Australia
Polly Curtis, health correspondent, Thursday August 16 2007, The Guardian.
Court upholds restrictions on Alzheimer's drugs
David Batty, Friday August 10 2007, The Guardian.
Evil ways of the drug companies
Ben Goldacre, Saturday August 4 2007, The Guardian.
Former minister raises fear of HIV blood cover-up· Lord Owen claims officials knew of hepatitis risk · 1,700 dead and many terminally ill after blunder
Sarah Hall, Wednesday July 11, 2007, The Guardian.
Sellafield body parts inquiry grows, says QC
David Ward, Wednesday July 11, 2007, The Guardian.
Hold your breath: nothing's sacred
Patrick Butler, Wednesday July 11, 2007, The Guardian.
Labour's NHS plan: the end of the local general hospital
John Carvel, Wednesday July 11, 2007,The Guardian.
Client group's anger over inspection refusal
20 June 2007, communitycare.co.uk
Note: ★★★★★ = highly recommended