Latest News Risk of dying on NHS ward higher at weekends

Patients are more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital at weekends, a new review of NHS treatment confirms today.

• GPs' criticism of NHS changes 'baffling', says minister
  Health Minister Simon Burns has said criticism by the Royal College of GPs of the government's planned overhaul of the NHS in England is ''baffling''.
• New menus, more nursing: welcome to 'private' NHS
  A private firm which has taken over the running of Hinchingbrooke Hospital has promised patients Michelin star-standard meals and more contact with nurses.
• Prostate cancer patient Dave Powell urges rethink over NICE abiraterone rejection
  A man who has recovered from prostate cancer has criticised a health watchdog for rejecting a drug which can extend patients' lives more than three months.
Psychiatrists say Health and Social Care Bill is flawed
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has come out against the Health and Social Care Bill in a new statement published this week.

'Patronising' Andrew Lansley under fire as implant row rolls on
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley was yesterday described as “arrogant and patronising” by the Welsh Government after he demanded it tell him in advance about changes in policy.

Private company takes over entire hospital for first time
Bosses at the first NHS hospital in Cambridgeshire to be taken over by a private provider have set out their vision to turn around its fortunes.

Indigestion drugs taken by millions linked to hip fractures
Common indigestion drugs taken by millions of people may increase the risk of a hip fracture by a third, a study has found.

Government offers NHS bill concessions
The government is to promise the health secretary will keep ultimate control over the NHS in England, as it pushes for Parliament to pass its NHS bill.

More NHS reform in five years 'guaranteed' if Bill goes through, say editors
The NHS will need another major re-organisation if the Government presses ahead with its controversial reforms, the editors of three reputed health journals warn today.

Have Your Say On

• Performance pay for NHS hospitals
  Hospitals are to have pay linked to performance by using patient experience to measure the quality of care.
• Fat nurses get £250K scheme to lose weight
  Overweight nurses are to get personal trainers and high street vouchers to encourage them to lose weight.
• 'Stasi' managers have left the NHS terminally ill, says consultant surgeon
  John Riddington-Young is one of three authors of The Hospital Revolution - a huge book attacking the NHS.

Doctors fail to spot toddler's broken collar bone
Charlie Robinson, aged 18 months was taken to hospital three times screaming with pain, but was given the all-clear by two doctors, a trainee doctor and a nurse before the fracture was finally spotted by a specialist.

Review after baby's stroke missed
An NHS Trust has promised to review its care procedures after a 21-month-old baby suffered a stroke that went undiagnosed for more than a week.

Reformed burglar can study to be a doctor
A teenager who was told he could not become a doctor because of a spent conviction for burglary has won a place at a top medical school.