January - 2016

Many High Street pharmacies in England face closure, says minister

Thousands of High Street pharmacies in England face closure following plans to cut NHS funding by £170m, according to Health Minister Alistair Burt. Department of Health officials argue that in some parts of the country there are more pharmacies than needed. But the Royal Pharmaceutical Society says this could put more pressure on GPs and accident and emergency departments. Discussions on the proposals will continue until March. Official estimates suggest an average community

Diabetes: Government and NHS too slow to act, say MPs

MPs have criticised the Department of Health and the NHS in England for being "too slow" to act in preventing and treating diabetes. A report by the Public Accounts Committee says variations in the care of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mean the annual cost to the health service will continue to rise. For people aged 16 and over the bill currently stands at £5.5bn a year. An NHS England spokesman said "diabetes care [was] better than ever". But he also said the obesity-fuelled ju

Junior doctors' dispute: Talks resuming in bid to stop strikes

Talks aimed at avoiding further NHS strikes in England are due to resume later, amid warnings the government could impose its controversial new contract on junior doctors. The British Medical Association (BMA) and the government are to begin two days of talks at 10:00 GMT, the conciliation service Acas said. The dispute is over weekend pay, career progression, and fears of overworking. A 48-hour walkout will start on 26 January if no agreement is found. Junior doctors returne

Dental care in England 'Third World'

Standards of NHS dental care in England have been likened to a "Third World" service, by dentists. The care, already "unfit for purpose", is becoming even worse, a letter signed by 400 dentists, in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, adds. It says the creation by international charity Dentaid of a service for vulnerable patients in West Yorkshire is a sign of the mounting problems. NHS England said services were improving. An NHS England spokeswoman said: "These claims are wrong -