News

In brief

Official statistics released this month show no fall in the number of 11 to 15-year-olds who smoke. The Health of the Nation target of a 33 per cent fall from 1990 levels by the end of this year is unlikely to be reached.

The National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts has called on the government to extend the scope of GP fundholding.

In its submission to the government’s review of fundholding, it recommends that GPs should be able to purchase emergency admissions, mental health and long term care.

Public understanding of the NHS reforms is is in marked contrast to that of the government, evidence from Scotland suggests. A survey of 335 local residents by Grampian local health council showed one in 3 believed trust hospitals had been privatised.

Patients are being removed from GP lists in some parts of the country because they are old or have a chronic illness, according to the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales. It calculates that 30,000 patients were removed from lists last year, for a variety of reasons.

A poll published by the National Food Alliance has found that two out of three parents want greater regulation of food and drink advertising aimed at children.

Fewer than two in 10 parents think that advertising encourages a balanced diet in their children.

The government has backed away from the possibility that it would reduce inspection requirements for nursing homes for old people. Currently, homes have to inspected at least twice a year.

There was concern last year that monitoring of homes was about to be relaxed. Voluntary sector groups representing the elderly have been busy persuading ministers that residents would be placed at risk as a result. Recent high profile cases of abuse in nursing homes may also have made the government think twice.

The Association of British Insurers has recommended that applicants should no longer be asked about negative HIV tests, though they will still be asked about a positive reult or treatment for HIV infection. Insurance payments for AIDS-related deaths have been much lower than expected.

The Terence Higgins Trust has welcomed the new recommendation.