News

In brief

Rationing the services provided by the NHS will not resolve its funding problems, according to evidence submitted by the Association of CHCs of England and Wales to the government’s comprehensive spending review.

‘People must not be denied effective treatments because they are elderly or disabled,’ said ACHCEW director Toby Harris.

A strong and united public health movement moved a step closer following agreement at the Public Health Alliance’s annual general meeting that closer links should be forged with other public health organisations.

Sports and energy drinks are little more than over-priced soft drinks, according to a survey of 22 drinks carried out by the Food Commission. The survey found that virtually all products were high in sugar and the ‘boost’ which some claim to provide comes mainly from high caffeine levels.

A new scheme will allow practices to take on GPs as salaried employees, rather than only as partners, health minister Alan Milburn has announced. The government hopes the scheme will enable practices in unpopular inner-city areas to recuit doctors on short-term contracts.

Local authorities should be given the power to regulate local public transport and monitor local employers’ transport policies, according to the Association for Public Health. ‘The APH welcomes the government’s intention to create an integrated transport policy, but regrets the almost total omission of health from the consultative paper,’ said Donald Reid, chief executive of the association.

The NHS Executive has produced a free ‘resource pack’ to encourage people to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the NHS in 1998. The pack can be obtained free by phoning 0113 254 6035.