News

In brief

New research published by the London School of Economics undermines government arguments that welfare state spending is out of control. The 4-year study shows that spending has been stable for 15 years.

The NHS has lost more than 40,000 acute hospital beds since 1979, according to official figures analysed by the Labour Party. By contrast, the private sector has grown by almost 5,000 beds over the same period.

A new survey published by the Health Education Authority (HEA) says that health education in schools risks being marginalised by the demands of the National Curriculum. ‘The HEA conducted a comparable survey in 1989, and the picture now is less positive than it was then’, said HEA education officer Danielle Wayne.

The World Health Organisation has declared tuberculosis a ‘global emergency’. TB currently infects more than one third of the world’s population. It’s resurgence is attributed to inadequate disease control programmes, multiple drug resistance, co-infection with HIV and a rapid increase in the population of young adults.

The Royal London trust hospital in London’s East End is considering selling surplus capacity in it’s private wing to American health maintenance organisations, according to a report in the Health Service Journal.

‘It’s a shame they can’t provide a service for local people that the local health authority can afford’, said Tower Hamlets GP Chris Dobbing.

Many men feel inadequate about sex, according to a report on Radio 1 FM’sTalk about sex phoneline.

Analysis of over 2,600 calls showed that nearly three quarters of callers were men. Feeling inadequate about their sexual performance was a major concern for men, along with masturbation, premature ejaculation, impotence and finding a partner.

Women were particularly concerned over safer sex, HIV testing and oral sex.

The former Medical Campaign Project, which has been working for improved access to health and social care for single homeless people since 1986, has been relaunched as Health Action for Homeless People.